The Sociology of Human Rights

Mark Frezzo invites sociologists to join others (political scientists, economists, anthropologists) to engage human rights both empirically and theoretically. We should have been there all along as human rights are embedded in societies, communities, and social relations. His invitation is especially attractive, because he challenges us to take on such cutting-edge issues as global inequalities, environmental sustainability, and the social implications of climate change. Judith Blau, University of North Carolina Through careful theoretical and pedagogic reflections, Mark Frezzo introduces us to the concepts of rights conditions, rights claims, rights effects, and rights bundles as a way to think sociologically about rights in the era of globalization. And, by expanding the epistemic community of human rights, he encourages us all to participate in defining and solving the human rights puzzles of our time. Manisha Desai, University of Connecticut Mark Frezzo adds a sociological voice to the human rights conversation, which has so far been dominated by the disciplines of law and international relations. If readers wish to study rights claims of social and global movements, sociological tools remain indispensable to assess their progress. The Sociology of Human Rights defends a nuanced form of universalism in an age of skepticism and upholds people s capacity for change. Frezzo s refreshing engagement is a significant contribution to the field of human rights. Micheline Ishay, University of Denver