Islam, liberalism and human rights : implications for international relations

This timely book, newly revised for this edition, addresses the question of human rights in the international context, focusing in particular on the interaction between human rights as a value and norm in international relations and Islam as a constituent of political culture in particular societies. Katerina Dalacoura's argument proceeds at two levels. Firstly, it reaches a consistent normative position on the question of human rights. Secondly, the theoretical argument is reinforced through a detailed study both of the precepts of Islam and the role of Islam in the political process of 20th century Egypt and Tunisia. Dalacoura demonstrates that the interpretation of Islam in relation to human rights principles is not static, but is subject to reformulation.

Author Notes

Katerina Dalacoura has taught International Relations at the University of Essex, as Tutorial Fellow, and at the London School of Economics, as Temporary Lecturer and later as Research Officer. Her next project will be a study on Human Rights in Foreign Policy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London.

Reviews 1

Choice Review

Dalacoura (Univ. of Essex and the London School of Economics, UK.) argues that an "essentialist" view of Islam and the West--the view that the distinctive character of each civilization precludes meaningful interaction of one with the other--forecloses the possibility that Western liberalism and respect for human rights can find congenial nurture in Arab-Muslim lands. She explicitly argues that this view must be scrapped, that fruitful dialogue about these matters can take place on a moral plane, and that a break with the (more restrictive) traditional past has taken place in some Arab societies, enabling ideas about human rights to find some acceptance. In Dalacoura's view Arab-Muslim states are not static but dynamic entities that allow room in government initiatives to begin moving Arab-Muslim societies toward consonance with worldwide, if not universal, human rights norms. The argument is subtle, sophisticated, and carefully expounded. This is not a book for the casual reader or for those unfamiliar with Islam. Nevertheless, it is well worth the attention of those interested in human rights issues and how Western ideas fare in the Islamic world. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and practitioners. V. T. Le Vine Washington University

Human Rights & Authenticity

Islam & Human Rights

Egypt 1920s-1930s

Egypt 1970s-1990s

Tunisia 1970s-1990s

Prospects of Islamic Liberalism in the Middle East