Rights Talk: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse

Mary Ann Glendon

Simon and Schuster, Jun 30, 2008 - Political Science - 236 pages

Political speech in the United States is undergoing a crisis. Glendon's acclaimed book traces the evolution of the strident language of rights in America and shows how it has captured the nation's devotion to individualism and liberty, but omitted the American traditions of hospitality and care for the community.

What people are saying

RIGHTS TALK: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse

User Review  - Kirkus

Here, Harvard Law School professor Glendon argues eloquently and persuasively that modern American political discourse, by emphasizing an ever-expanding catalogue of rights to the exclusion of duties ...

User Review -

This book is well written, thoughtful and comprehensive. But as a former student of Mary Ann Glendon several years ago at Boston College Law School, I recall with a shiver the arrogance and snideness of this woman in her first-year property class. If she had a personal problem with you, she treated you like dirt. I just can't help but ask people not to line her egotistical, self-important pockets by purchasing this book. 

About the author

Mary Ann Glendon is the Emerita Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University. She is also a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. Glendon has done work related ot human rights, comparative law, and political theory.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Rights Talk: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse
• Author: Mary Ann Glendon
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 2008
• ISBN: 1439108684, 9781439108680
• Length: 236 pages
• Subjects: History / United States / General; Political Science / General; Political Science / Political Process / General