Poverty and fundamental rights : the justification and enforcement of socio-economic rights / David Bilchitz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bilchitz, David.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil rights.

Civil rights--Political aspects.

Equality.

Poverty.

Physical Description:

xviii, 279 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Socio-economic rights have been widely regarded as aspirational goals, rhetorically useful, but having few practical implications for government policy and the distribution of resources within a polity. It is not therefore surprising that socio-economic rights have been systematically neglected in the world today, with millions still lacking access to basic shelter, food or health-care. This book seeks to provide a sustained argument for placing renewed emphasis upon socio-economic rights in the fight against desperate poverty. It utilizes a combination of political philosophy, constitutional law, and public policy in its focus and analyzes why violations of socio-economic rights are treated with less urgency than violations of civil and political rights.

Contents:

Towards a thin theory of the good

The justification of fundamental rights

Determining our unconditional obligations

Justifying the judicial review of fundamental rights

Judicial review in practice : the reasonableness approach and its shortcomings

Political philosophy in action : developing the minimum core approach to socio-economic rights

Conclusion : implications for policy in South Africa and beyond.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [262]-271) and index.

ISBN:

0199204918

9780199204915

OCLC:

71541573