Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

The contextual origin of liberal thought and practice -- The Westphalian society of sovereign states -- The growth of liberal universalism -- The UN and regional declarations and covenants on human rights -- The right of peoples to self-determination -- The right to development and development assistance -- Women's international human rights -- The implementation of international human rights -- Western critiques of liberal human rights -- Liberalism and non-western cultures -- In defence of liberalism.

The 'Liberal Project' aims to transform society in accordance with liberal values and practices. This volume argues that the United Nations regime on human rights is an attempt to realise this project on an international level. The authors provide an engaging theoretical and historical context for this argument, defining the concept of liberalism, its origins and evolution, and identify it as a universal value that constitutes the very essence of the international human rights regime. The book explores the possibility of a cross-cultural consensus on the issue being reached, but problems of sovereignty and nationalism are also discussed as potential obstacles to the Liberal Project's completion. This penetrating and insightful work will appeal to a wide range of scholars and students interested in liberalism and human rights from the fields of international relations, law, political theory and political philosophy.