From the blurb
Flashpoints in South Asia: Maj-Gen. Rajendra Nath, Lt.Col. K.S. Ludra; Published by Lancer’s Books, P.O. Box 4236, New Delhi-110048. Rs. 795.
Political analysts across the world, at least a good number of them, are generally agreed that the 21st century will see Asia on the centre stage. By 2030, four of the world’s largest economies are expected to be from that continent — Japan, China, India and Russia. To quote Brahma Chellaney, who has written the Foreword, “the shifts in economic and political power foretell a much different world — a world characterised by a greater distribution of power, but also by new uncertainties.” In this transitional phase of the international order, the south Asian region is likely to face serious problems — terror threat, economic volatility, security concerns, interference by powerful countries, and so on.
The book focusses on the challenging security environment in south Asia, and the role India, perceived to be a key ‘swing state’, can play in the evolving situation. The major problems confronting the different countries in south Asia — from Israel in the west to Myanmar in the east — are discussed. The authors go on to identify the various ‘flashpoints’ in southern Asia that should receive the government’s special attention and also suggest what India needs to do if it is to emerge as the major power.
Exploring International Human Rights — Essential Readings: Edited by Rhonda L. Callaway and Julie Harrelson-Stephens; Viva Books Private Ltd., 4737/23 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002. Rs. 995.
In this volume, a wide range of articles representing the various dimensions of the philosophical debates and policy analyses have been brought together, along with first-hand accounts, to provide a comprehensive and accessible set of readings on the major themes and issues in the field of international human rights.
The entire gamut is examined under nine heads, with the editors providing an introduction to each chapter. The first chapter sets out to address the question “what are human rights?”, which, as the editors note, “remains highly contested within both political discourse and the field of human rights research.” The papers in it discuss the various typologies, philosophical foundations and ideological divisions in the human rights discourse. The other broad heads under which the subject is studied are: measuring human rights; international law and organisations in the fight for human rights; are human rights universal?; witness to torture; gender- based repression; children as targets; globalisation and human rights; and human rights in the war on terror.
The book, which presents human rights in different perspectives, should serve to enhance one’s understanding.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Book Review
