Ethics and Human Rights in a Globalized World : An Interdisciplinary and International Approach

In a globalized world, an interdisciplinary dialogue on ethics and human rights is possible, necessary and fruitful for jurisprudence. Human rights can be understood as formalized ethics, and ethics can thus serve as a foundation for human rights. They are the framework for a communication of rights, and this communication is the context in which wrongs can be transformed into rights. Ethics do however also shape "existing" (recognized) human rights. Human rights are "ethics in action." The enforcement of human rights, especially in international criminal law, as well as the implementation structures bring the ideas and principles of rights to life in a globalized world. Thus it is advisable to take an interdisciplinary approach to participation rights, social rights and human rights in general, in private and in public life. This work contains articles that were presented at an international and interdisciplinary conference on "Ethics and Human Rights in a Globalized World" in Jerusalem in the fall of 2008. Young researchers from Israel and Germany, who work in the fields of law, philosophy, political science and theology, deal with the foundation of human rights, the conflict between varying human rights and effective implementation structures. The part played by the World Bank in implementing human rights is highlighted, as is the significance of local cultural backgrounds. Other articles deal with the correlation of international criminal law and human rights. The book also contains an article by Aharon Barak, former Chief Justice of the Israel Supreme Court.