What Future for Human Rights in a Non-Western World?

The countries of the global north and west that have enjoyed hegemonic preponderance in international affairs over the last two centuries are seeing their relative influence on the world stage decline in favour of rising powers of other regions. As the ability of the global north and west to project normative standards with regards to social organisation, international relations and the role of the state is waning, what emerging norms might guide future trajectories for global society? As human rights is a highly politicised and contentious area of discourse and practice, what future might there be for human rights in a non-western world?

The London Debates 2011 workshop sought to bring together established academics and early career researchers from a variety of disciplines to reflect upon possible futures for world order and the implications for human rights. In this edited volume, nuanced analysis covers the ongoing debate on the universality of human rights, the outlook for human rights in an Islamic context, the role of civil society in the future of human rights, and human rights in China.

The London Debates are a series of discussion workshops convened by the School of Advanced Study that bring together outstanding early career researchers to consider a subject of broad concern within the humanities and social sciences. The workshops are attended by a small group of invited senior academics and early-career researchers - in their final year of doctoral study or up to ten years beyond the award of their doctorate - selected by an international open competition. The Debates include lectures, plenary seminars and small-group discussions.

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London is the UK's national centre for the facilitation and promotion of research in the humanities and social sciences. The School brings together the specialised scholarship and resources of ten prestigious research institutes to offer academic opportunities, facilities and stimulation across a wide range of subjects for the benefit of the national and international scholarly community.