Lecture Outline—Theories of Human Rights
Tension between National Sovereignty vs. International Human Rights (Dunn 2009, pp. 612)
Theories on Rights:
Citizenship-National Sovereignty Perspective
Vs. Human Rights Perspective
(Are rights conditional, role of nation-state, enforceability of rights, etc.) (Dunn 2009,
pp. 6-12)
Organizations & Human Rights; & Social Triage (Sjoberg 2001; Dunn 2009, 2012)
Sociological Theories of Human Rights: (Dunn 2012)
Blau & Moncada--HR as Critique of Neo-Liberal Economic Globalization (Dunn 2012)
Sjoberg—HR, Bureaucracy,& Inequality—Janus face of Organizations, role of social
mind, etc. (Sjoberg 2001, Dunn 2012), Relationship between Human Agency Vs.
Soc. Structure, etc., need to hold organizations accountable for HR violations
(Sjoberg 2001, Dunn 2012)
4 Soci. Theorists of HR comparison—Blau & Moncada, Turner, Sassen, Sjoberg>
Also, FYI, remember: Discussion Q’s for Theories of Human Rights. We addressed 1 & 2 &
4 & 6 quite a bit in class lecture and group discussion points 9focus on those for studying
for test).
1. What are the main differences between the Citizenship-National Sovereignty view of rights
and the Human Rights perspective? What are 3 main features of each? Try to apply each to
an example of some rights issue of violation of your choice. (Dunn 2009, pp. 6-12)
2. Compare and contrast the 4 Sociological Theories of Human Rights, outlined in Dunn 2012,
esp. on the relationship between Human Agency and Social Structure:
 Blau & Moncada -- HR as critique of Economic Globalization & Inequalities,
 Turner--Intellectual History of Rights & Human Frailty as basis for HR,
 Sassen – Globalization, Econ. Inequalities, and “Denationalized Citizenship”
 Sjoberg—Definition of HR, Role of Organizational Power, Bureaucracy as problem for
inequality and HR
 Apply to example-- How might any of these ideas relate to recent trends in immigration
and border enforcement?
3. What are some of the major changes in the world (& globalization) since WWII, and
especially how have they increased the role and power of transnational organizations? What
about the role of nation-state power? (Sjoberg 2001)
4. What is the nature or essence of Human Rights, and esp. what is the role of organized power /
powerful organizations (state or private / corporate)? What is role of latter in case of Nazis &
Holocaust? What is the Janus face of organizations? (Sjoberg 2001)
5. What is the Debate over Universalism vs. Cultural Specific cases – are HR really universal?
What is nature of human nature & rationality - the social mind and reflectivity and “taking
the role of the other” in promoting human rights? (Sjoberg 2001)
6. What is the nature of formal, complex organizations? What are some of their key features
(efficiency, hierarchy, secrecy, etc.)? What is their role in HR problems—any examples?
What are the 2 main options for holding organizations accountable for HR problems –
restructuring or eliminating vs. reform – any historical examples? (Sjoberg 2001)
7. What is relationship between democracy and HR? (Sjoberg 2001)