Rights and Law, Analysis and Theory

(Hardback)

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The book is divided into five parts: the first includes an explanation of the role of conceptual analysis within jurisprudence, while the second conducts a re-examination of Hohfeld's analysis of rights, dealing with the arguments advanced by modern theorists including Hart, White and MacCormick. The third part contains the author's own framework for discussing rights, including examples drawn from tort, constitutional law and international law, alongside analysis of Unger's theory of rights. Part four centres on the perceived conflict between Dworkin, Rawls and Nozick as the defenders of a rights approach, and Bentham as the champion of utilitarianism, and concludes that neither deals with the fundamental concerns of morality on which their theories are based. The fifth part reflects on the key themes and considers the role of rights within general theory.

Reviews

Halpin elucidates an invaluable framework for understanding the logic . . . of rights-based claims. -- John Daley * Legal Studies *
I found Halpins book very stimulating. It forced me to re-think many of my accepted beliefs about rights and political theory. -- Daniel T. OReilly * University of Toronto Law Journal *

Author Bio

Andrew Halpin is Professor of Legal Theory in the School of Law at Swansea University.