Politics of Human Rights in Southeast Asia

The divide between the West and Southeast Asia seems to be nowhere more apparent that in debates about human rights. Within these diverse deographical, political and cultural climates, human rights seem to have become relative, and the quest for absolutes seems unattainable. In his new book, Philip J. Eldridge seeks to question this stalemate. He argues that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' inclusion in United Nations' human rights treaties could be the common ground that bridges the gap between East and West. Eldridge uses topical case studies and primary research from Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor and Australia, to compare the effectiveness of United Nations' human rights directives on local democracies. This study presents insightful research into a hotly debated topic. As such it will be a throught-provoking resource for students of human rights, politics and international relations.