'This book provides a sustained and comprehensive defence of liberal thought and practice in contemporary international affairs. It bridges the divide between the abstract work of political philosophers and the technical tomes of international lawyers ... Particularly impressive are the discussions of the standard criticisms that are made by contemporary opponents of liberal theory and practice' Mervyn Frost, King's College London

The 'Liberal Project' aims to transform society in accordance with liberal values and practices. This volume argues that the United Nations regime on human rights is an attempt to realise this project on an international level. The authors provide an engaging theoretical and historical context for this argument, defining the concept of liberalism, its origins and evolution, and identify it as a universal value that constitutes the very essence of the international human rights regime. The book explores the possibility of a cross-cultural consensus on the issue being reached, but problems of sovereignty and nationalism are also discussed as potential obstacles to the Liberal Project's completion. This penetrating and insightful work will appeal to a wide range of scholars and students interested in liberalism and human rights from the fields of international relations, law, political theory and political philosophy.

Introduction
Part I. Liberal Beginnings: 1. The contextual origin of liberal thought and practice
2. The Westphalian society of sovereign states
3. The growth of liberal universalism
Part II. UN Regime on Human Rights: 4. The UN and regional declarations and covenants on human rights
5. The right of peoples to self-determination
6. Right to development
7. Women's international human rights
8. The implementation of international human rights
Part III. Critique and Defence of Liberalism: 9. Western critiques of liberal human rights
10. Liberalism and non-western cultures
11. In defence of liberalism.

Subject Areas: Human rights [JPVH], International relations [JPS]