Introduction

Abstract

The Introduction, outlines the concepts and ideas contained in the book, showing how the development of universal human rights and international oversight since World War Two has led to profound global changes in thinking about social policy and global development. It argues that geo-political tensions, conflicts, continuing global inequalities, and the struggles of people around the world whose rights have been denied, have all influenced understandings of rights and state responsibilities. In essence, the formulation, interpretation, realisation and enforcement of international human rights are sites of continuing struggle. It shows how the book is organised around a range of different themes relating to international human rights, their application and influence on social policy development, with 20 chapters in three different sections, ‘International Human Rights: Context’, ‘Key Issues for Universal Human Rights-Based Approaches’, ‘Human Rights Approaches to Social Policy Development’.