Implementing U.S. Human Rights Policy : Agendas, Policies, and Practices

Since the 1970s, the promotion of human rights has been as explicit goal of US foreign policy.

Successive presidents have joined with senators and representatives, hundreds of NGOs and millions of ordinary citizens in deploring human rights abuses and urging that American power and influence be used to right such wrongs.

Vigorous debates, bold declarations and well-crafted legislation have shaped numerous policies designed to counter abuses and promote US values across the globe.

But have such policies actually worked? This volume answers that question by spotlighting no fewer than 14 cases spanning four continents and 25 years.

In each case, a distinguished author charts efforts to implement US policy and highlights the problems encountered.

The chapters explore the interaction between competing moral, economic and security considerations; examine the different callneges facing policymakers in Washington and practitioners in-country; and assess what worked, what did not work, and why.

Throughout, the emphasis is on discovering useful lessons and offering practical advice to those considering new initiatives or trying to improve existing efforts.