The universal decleration of human rights passes bu the general assembly on december 10, 1948 recognised the dignity of human family and equality of its members as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, contempt and disregard of which has resulted in barbarious acts outraging the conscience of mankind.

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) was formed in the 1930s against a backdrop of fascism and 'popular front' movements. In this volatile political atmosphere, the aim of the NCCL was to ensure that civil liberties were a central component of political discourse. Chris Moores's new study shows how the NCCL - now Liberty - had to balance the interests of extremist allies with the desire to become a respectable force campaigning for human rights and civil liberties. From new social movements of the 1960s and 1970s to the formation of the Human Rights Act in 1998, this study traces the NCCL's development over the last eighty years. It enables us to observe shifts and continuities in forms of political mobilisation throughout the twentieth century, changes in discourse about extensions and retreats of freedoms, as well as the theoretical conceptualisation and practical protection of rights and liberties.

This is a critical analysis of the history of the American Civil Liberties Union and represents the first published account of the ACLU's record. Other works on the organization either dealt only with specific issues or have been simply journalistic accounts. Donohue provides the first systematic analysis by a social scientist. It is unquestionably the most serious work now available and is likely to remain the touchstone for any such work for many years to come.

This book is a detailed, thought-provoking and comprehensive text that is valuable not only for students but also for all those interested in the development of civil liberties in the Human Rights Act era

First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First edition published in 2003.

Human rights is a central concept in political science, yet it is still poorly understood. This book reviews the literature on human rights and takes into account the different perceptions, asking if human rights can be measured and whether countries can be ranked on the basis of their performance.