Although the Inalienable Rights Series has thus far focused primarily
on debate, deliberation, and discourse about American
constitutional law, this volume reaches beyond the boundaries of
the United States to explore the meaning of inalienable rights on
the international stage. In this study of the origins, evolution, and
enforcement of international human rights law, Eric Posner illuminates
the relationship between the American conception of “inalienable
rights” and the international conception of “human rights.” To
what extent are they similar? To what extent are they different? To
the extent that they differ, why is this so? Should the United States
look to expand its conception of inalienable rights to bring it more
in line with the international understanding of human rights, or does
the United States have a “better” notion of what rights should be
thought to be truly fundamental?