This exciting Research Handbook combines practitioner and academic perspectives to provide a comprehensive, cutting edge analysis of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), as well as the connection between ESCR and other rights. Offering an authoritative analysis of standards and jurisprudence, it argues for an expansive and inclusive approach to ESCR as human rights. Expert contributors discuss ESCR-related structures and mechanisms in the international, regional and domestic spheres, and chapters explore the details, interpretations and current developments of each thematic right, illustrating the critical cross-cutting and fault line issues relating to global ESCR. Taking a far-sighted approach, contributors critically assess the failure of dominant human rights paradigms to address ESCR and/or create a framework for multilateral responses to emerging global threats, arguing that a robust, reinforced ESCR approach and practice is needed to meet the human rights challenges of the 2020s. This Research Handbook is a valuable contribution to the human rights field. Providing an overview of ESCR-related systems, cases and challenges around the world, it will be particularly beneficial for advocates, scholars and students interested in international human rights as well as to lawyers and judges considering ESCR in the context of domestic law. International and local NGOs and human rights organizations will also find this an essential guide on mechanisms to advance ESCR as human rights. Contributors include: R. Balakrishnan, J. Bourke-Martignoni, M.V. Bras Gomes, L. Chenwi, J. Chowdhury, A. Corkery, C. de Albuquerque, K. Donald, J. Dugard, S. Gloppen, M. Gomez, J. Heintz, D. Ikawa, V. Krsticevic, C. O'Cinneide, K. Paterson, B. Porter, V. Roaf, I. Saiz, M. Sepulveda, C. Vallejo, F. Veriava, S. Wilson, A.E. Yamin

The embrace of socio-economic rights in South Africa has featured prominently in scholarship on constitution making, legal jurisprudence and social mobilisation. But the development has attracted critics who claim that this turn to rights has not generated social transformation in practice. This book sets out to assess one part of the puzzle and asks what has been the role and impact of socio-economic strategies used by civil society actors. Focusing on a range of socio-economic rights and national trends in law and political economy, the book's authors show how socio-economic rights have influenced the development of civil society discourse and action. The evidence suggests that some strategies have achieved material and political impact but this is conditional on the nature of the claim, degree of mobilisation and alliance building, and underlying constraints.

The embrace of socio-economic rights in South Africa has featured prominently in scholarship on constitution making, legal jurisprudence and social mobilisation. But the development has attracted critics who claim that this turn to rights has not generated social transformation in practice. This book sets out to assess one part of the puzzle and asks what has been the role and impact of socio-economic strategies used by civil society actors. Focusing on a range of socio-economic rights and national trends in law and political economy, the book's authors show how socio-economic rights have influenced the development of civil society discourse and action. The evidence suggests that some strategies have achieved material and political impact but this is conditional on the nature of the claim, degree of mobilisation and alliance building, and underlying constraints.