Leading Rogue State: The U.S. and Human Rights

Most Americans would be surprised to learn that their government has declined to join most other nations in UN treaties addressing inadequate housing, poverty, children's rights, health care, racial discrimination, and migrant workers. Yet this book documents how the U.S. has, for decades, declined to ratify widely accepted treaties on these and many other basic human rights. Providing the first comprehensive topical survey, the contributors build a case and specific agendas for the nation to change course and join the world community as a protector of human rights. With Contributions by and on:

List of Tables and Figures Introduction-Frances Fox Piven Human Vulnerabilities: On Individual and Social Rights-Bryan S. Turner Rights to Housing-Dave Overfelt and David L. Brunsma Health as a Human Right-Antonio Ugalde and Nuacute;ria Homedes Labor Rights and Rights of Workers-Vincent J. Roscigno and Andrew W. Martin Rights of the Child-Brian K. Gran Rights of Migrants and Minorities-Cecilia Menjiacute;var and Rubeacute;n G. Rumbaut Women's Rights-Tola Olu Pearce Rights of People with Disabilities-Jean M. Lynch Rights of Indigenous Peoples-Keri E. Iyall Smith The Human Right to Sexual and Gender Self-Expression-Gerald F. Lackey Language Rights as Human Rights-Tanya Golash-Boza and Douglas Parker Cultural Rights-Rodney D. Coates Rights to Water, Food, and Development-Jenniffer M. Santos-Hernaacute;ndez and John Barnshaw Environmental Rights-Damayanti Banerjee Rights of Prisoners-Angela Hattery and Earl Smith Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law-John Hagan and Wenona Rymond-Richmond Rights to Participate in Democracy-Mark Frezzo The Social Forum Process and Human Rights-Marina Karides Freedom and Security-Judith Blau and Alberto Moncada Postcript-Jack Donnelly Index About the Editors and Contributors