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The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian

Deconstructing rights

Are human rights a barrier against domination and oppression or the ideological gloss of an emerging empire?
Law professor Costas Douzinas traces the history and theory of rights, probing the paradoxes they offer in contemporary debates, including the questions of universalism, humanitarianism and individual versus collective rights

21 April 2009

  • A US marine watches a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled in Baghdad on April 9 2003. Photograph: Jerome Delay/AP

    Are wars ever just?

    Costas Douzinas: Deconstructing rights: The invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan raise complex questions about the moral and legal use of force

1 April 2009

  • Shibboleth at Tate Modern

    Who counts as 'human'?

    Costas Douzinas: Deconstructing rights: Those of the wrong class, gender, colour or sexuality have always been left outside locally defined 'humanity' – where does this leave a bill of rights?

18 March 2009

  • Jami, 23, a failed asylum seeker from Somalia, walks the streets of London

    What are human rights?

    Costas Douzinas: Deconstructing rights: Probing questions of legality and morality can help us understand the paradox that not all humans have humanity

11 March 2009

  • Statue of ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, blindfolded by protesting students in Athens

    Are rights universal?

    Costas Douzinas: Deconstructing rights: This brief history sets the parameters for a discussion of the most important question for the political philosophy of our times

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