Reclaiming the Radical in Universal Human Rights
Universality as Universalisation
In: International Human Rights Law ReviewSearch for other papers by Kathryn McNeilly in
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The universality of human rights has been a fiercely contested issue throughout their history. This article contributes to scholarly engagements with the universality of human rights by proposing a re-engagement with this concept in a way that is compatible with the aims of radical politics. Instead of a static attribute or characteristic of rights this article proposes that universality can be thought of as, drawing from Judith Butler, an ongoing process of universalisation. Universality accordingly emerges as a site of powerful contest between competing ideas of what human rights should mean, do or say, and universal concepts are continually reworked through political activity. This leads to a differing conception of rights politics than traditional liberal approaches but, moreover, challenges such approaches. This understanding of universality allows human rights to come into view as potentially of use in interrupting liberal regimes and, crucially, opens possibilities to reclaim the radical in rights.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 556 | 148 | 4 |
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| PDF Views & Downloads | 107 | 8 | 3 |
Reclaiming the Radical in Universal Human Rights
Universality as Universalisation
In: International Human Rights Law ReviewSearch for other papers by Kathryn McNeilly in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The universality of human rights has been a fiercely contested issue throughout their history. This article contributes to scholarly engagements with the universality of human rights by proposing a re-engagement with this concept in a way that is compatible with the aims of radical politics. Instead of a static attribute or characteristic of rights this article proposes that universality can be thought of as, drawing from Judith Butler, an ongoing process of universalisation. Universality accordingly emerges as a site of powerful contest between competing ideas of what human rights should mean, do or say, and universal concepts are continually reworked through political activity. This leads to a differing conception of rights politics than traditional liberal approaches but, moreover, challenges such approaches. This understanding of universality allows human rights to come into view as potentially of use in interrupting liberal regimes and, crucially, opens possibilities to reclaim the radical in rights.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 556 | 148 | 4 |
| Full Text Views | 256 | 4 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 107 | 8 | 3 |
