In recent years, human rights issues have moved to the forefront of the political agenda in Australia. Controversy over powerful anti-terror laws and the treatment of asylum seekers has led to increasing criticism of Australia's human rights record, and calls for Australia to adopt a national bill of rights. This subject will explore some of the complex theoretical and institutional issues surrounding the protection of human rights. The first half of the unit focuses on theoretical debates over the nature over rights and democracy, drawing on the writings of Locke, Bentham, Marx, Mill, Dworkin and Waldron. The second half of the unit focuses explores the relationship between political institutions and human rights, paying particular attention to the experience of liberal democracies such as Australia, the US and Britain. We will conclude by considering the current Australian debate over a bill of rights in light of the normative and empirical arguments covered during the semester.

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