Summaries of books about Human Rights:
The Fight for Free Speech
Ten Cases That Define Our First Amendment Freedoms
Ian Rosenberg
The book examines ten landmark First Amendment cases in the United States, exploring the historical context, legal arguments, and implications for free speech. It provides insights into how the Supreme Court has interpreted and shaped the rights to free expression, press, assembly, and religion over time.
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The Ordinary Virtues
Moral Order in a Divided World
Michael Ignatieff
The book examines how ordinary people around the world navigate moral dilemmas in their daily lives, often relying on local, practical virtues rather than universal principles. It explores the role of these virtues in maintaining social cohesion amidst the challenges of globalization, inequality, and cultural diversity.
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The Price of Thirst
Global Water Inequality and the Coming Chaos
Karen Piper
The book exposes the global crisis of water scarcity and the privatization of water resources, highlighting the social and political consequences of treating water as a commodity. It presents case studies from around the world, illustrating the struggles of communities facing droughts, corporate control, and unequal access to this essential resource.
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Modern Slavery
A Beginner's Guide
Kevin Bales|Zoe Trodd|Alex Kent Williamson
The book provides an overview of contemporary forms of slavery around the world, examining its causes, manifestations, and the challenges in eradicating it. It also discusses the economic and political factors that sustain slavery today, as well as the efforts of activists and organizations to combat this human rights issue.
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Project Censored's State of the Free Press 2022
Andy Lee Roth, Mickey Huff
The book compiles the most under-reported news stories of the previous year, highlighting significant issues that have been overlooked by mainstream media. It also critiques the state of journalism and the impact of corporate and political interests on the dissemination of information to the public.
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Bonded Labor
Tackling the System of Slavery in South Asia
Siddharth Kara
The book provides an in-depth analysis of the bonded labor system in South Asia, examining its historical roots, economic and social mechanisms, and the pervasive human rights abuses it entails. It offers firsthand accounts from individuals ensnared in this form of modern slavery and proposes strategies for its eradication.
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The War on Journalism
Andrew Fowler
The book investigates the increasing threats to investigative journalism, including government surveillance and legal pressures. It highlights the challenges faced by journalists who expose corruption and hold power to account in the face of growing hostility towards the free press.
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We Uyghurs Have No Say
An Imprisoned Writer Speaks
Ilham Tohti
The book is a collection of essays and lectures by Ilham Tohti, a prominent Uyghur economist and human rights activist, which provide insight into the plight of the Uyghur people in China's Xinjiang region. It documents Tohti's advocacy for Uyghur rights, his critique of Chinese government policies, and his reflections on coexistence between Uyghurs and Han Chinese before his imprisonment in 2014.
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Does Torture Work?
John W. Schiemann
The book critically examines the effectiveness of torture in extracting reliable information, using game theory and empirical evidence to challenge the assumption that torture is a useful interrogation tool. It delves into the moral, legal, and practical aspects of torture, ultimately questioning its justification and efficacy in intelligence gathering.
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Frontier Justice
The Global Refugee Crisis and What To Do About It
Andy Lamey
The book examines the international refugee crisis, discussing the ethical and political challenges associated with providing asylum and protection to displaced individuals. It proposes solutions to improve the current refugee system, advocating for policies that are both compassionate and practical in addressing the needs of refugees worldwide.
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