The Deliberative Deficit of Human Rights Strategies: Conceptual Problems and Practical Implications

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

This chapter argues that strategic approaches to human rights lead to a problematic ‘deliberative deficit’ that puts at risk the meaning and the impact of the enterprise. The chapter begins by presenting two contrary standpoints. A deliberative standpoint and a strategic one. The former is at the core of a human rights perspective and embodies treating others as ends and not a means in a political setting; the latter sees persons as means to a predefined end. The chapter then explains five strategic approaches to human rights that bypass the deliberative standpoint: (1) strategic legal positivism and strategic litigation, (2) issue linkage, (3) framing, (4) participation as a legitimation device and (5) naming and shaming. Thereafter the chapter argues that the shift towards the strategic has negative practical consequences: the neglect of trade-offs and the legitimation of backlash.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman Rights Strategies
Subtitle of host publicationBenefits and Drawbacks
EditorsIngrid Westendorp
Place of PublicationCheltenham
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Pages11–29
ISBN (Electronic)9781035314140
ISBN (Print)9781035314133
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2024

Publication series

SeriesThe Association of Human Rights Institutes series

Keywords

  • implementation
  • deliberative standpoint
  • strategic standpoint
  • negative consequences
  • trade-offs
  • backlash

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