Table of Contents

Part I. The First Expansionary Era: 1. The prehistory of rights; 2. The rights of man: The Enlightenment; 3. 'Mischievous nonsense'?; 4. The nineteenth century: Consolidation and retrenchment; 5. The conceptual neighborhood of rights: Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld; Part II. The Second Expansionary Era: 6. The universal declaration and a revolt against utilitarianism; 7. The nature of rights: 'choice' theory and 'interest' theory; 8. A right to do wrong? Two conceptions of moral rights; 9. The pressure of consequentialism; 10. What is interference?; 11. The future of rights; 12. Conclusion.

Promotional Information

The only accessible and readable introduction to rights.

Reviews

'The book is also a model text for students. The style is accessible and engaging, the analysis and arguments are sophisticated, and the text itself is clearly written and uncluttered by notes.' Journal of Utilities 'This book will be of interest to persons working in legal theory and in political philosophy in universities and colleges.' Journal of Utilities