What are the prospects and means of achieving development through a democratic politics of socio-economic rights? Starting from the position that socio-economic rights are as legally and normatively valid as civil and political rights, this anthology explores the politics of acquiring and transforming socio-economic rights in South Africa. The book brings together an interdisciplinary group of leading scholars in an examination of the multifaceted politics of social and economic policy-making, rights-based political struggles and socio-economic rights litigations. The post-apartheid South African experience shows that there is no guarantee that democracy will eliminate poverty or reduce social inequality, but also that democratic institutions and politics may provide important means for asserting interests and rights in regard to development. Thus it is argued that democratic politics of socio-economic rights may democratise development while also developing democracy.

The only up-to-date textbook that provides a systematic, critical overview of the human rights-development nexus. The book will provide students and practitioners with an in-depth understanding of human rights as a development challenge, delineate the responses and alternative critical approaches from a theoretical and practical perspective Equips readers with the conceptual frameworks and analytical tools for independent investigation of key issues at the human rights/development interface. Wide-ranging in scope, multi-scalar in looking at global policy initiatives or vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples Well developed pedagogy including: a student briefing in the introduction, questions for discussion at the end of each chapter, text boxes to highlight particular issues, theoretical approaches, examples, cases and annotated further reading.

The only up-to-date textbook that provides a systematic, critical overview of the human rights-development nexus. The book will provide students and practitioners with an in-depth understanding of human rights as a development challenge, delineate the responses and alternative critical approaches from a theoretical and practical perspective Equips readers with the conceptual frameworks and analytical tools for independent investigation of key issues at the human rights/development interface. Wide-ranging in scope, multi-scalar in looking at global policy initiatives or vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples Well developed pedagogy including: a student briefing in the introduction, questions for discussion at the end of each chapter, text boxes to highlight particular issues, theoretical approaches, examples, cases and annotated further reading.