Human Rights as Social Representations

There are currently a large number of historical, philosophical, political and judicial studies on human rights. However, a thorough social psychological analysis of their intervention in social relations, extending across national and cultural boundaries, has not been available. This book fills that gap, providing a detailed examination of the foundations of human rights principles, the sources of their universality and their limitations. Using the tools of social representation theory, Willem Doise examines human rights as guiding ideas which can provide institutionalized standards. He then explores how these standards can be used to evaluate the relationship of individuals with authorities and with each other. Research discussed in this book confirms that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as an important landmark, guiding shared normative social representations across different national contexts. The author also discusses how individuals position themselves in relation to human rights according to what possibilities they see for having these rights respected by both the government, and each other. This, he shows, is clearly related to the value choices of individuals, their experience of social discrimination and injustice, and the actual enforcement of human rights in their countries. Essential reading for scholars and students studying social representation theory and human rights, it will also be of great interest to those working more generally in the fields of psychology, sociology and anthropology.