Issue 21.3
Not a Suicide Pact: The Constitution in a Time of National Emergency by Richard A. Posner
Sadly, discussions of the pricklier issues of law, terrorism, and security rarely follow a cool, pragmatic approach. Richard Posner provides just such a perspective on the relationship of the Constitution to the terrorist threat. Undaunted by controversy, he forthrightly addresses detention, harsh interrogation methods, limits of free speech, ethnic profiling, and the boundaries of privacy rights, among other hot-button topics.
Rationality and the Ideology of Disconnection by Michael Taylor
This passionate book is a powerful conceptual, empirical, and normative critique of Rational Choice theory by a former practitioner. Rational Choice, Taylor argues, is more than a simple style of analysis and approach to problem solving: it is a hegemonic orthodoxy that has subverted psyches, societies, and cultures.
Economic Justice in an Unfair World: Toward a Level Playing Field by Ethan B. Kapstein
“Economic Justice in an Unfair World” is a stimulating, well-researched book combining economic analysis, political philosophy, and contemporary policy, all focused on one key question: What does one mean by economic justice in a world cut through by inequalities of income, bargaining power, and human poverty?
Ethics in Action: The Ethical Challenges of International Human Rights Nongovernmental Organizations edited by Daniel A. Bell and Jean-Marc Coicaud
Between 2002-2005, the UN University and the City University of Hong Kong organized a series of “dialogues” about the ethical challenges facing international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). The result is this fascinating and timely volume, which addresses not only human rights narrowly construed, but also humanitarian aid and development.
The Parliament of Man by Paul Kennedy; Secretary or General? edited by Simon Chesterman; and The Best Intentions by James Traub
With a new secretary-general now in charge and the memories of the bitter final years of his predecessor still vivid, a timely procession of books on the UN has been appearing to offer some fresh appraisals and insights into how things got this way and what, if anything, can be done.
Reconstructing Precaution, Deconstructing Misconceptions
This essay contributes to the debate on the precautionary principle in two ways: 1) it clarifies what is entailed by a mild formulation of the principle and 2) it identifies a number of misconceptions underlying some of its main criticisms.
Trade Rules, Intellectual Property, and the Right to Health
In perpetuating and exacerbating restricted access to essential medicines, current trade-related intellectual property rules on medicines may violate core human rights to health and medicines. In this light, there should be serious questions about their necessity, and their justification should be critically assessed from the perspective of human rights standards.
Poverty and Global Justice
Poverty eradication has been identified as the largest challenge facing international society in its quest for a peaceful, prosperous, and just world. Kokaz responds to this challenge by proposing a global poverty eradication principle.
