Language Rights: From Free Speech to Linguistic Governance 2012th Edition

‘Like a clear beacon in a murky sea of political defeatism and increasing governmental control, Vanessa Pupavac’s wonderful book gives out an invigorating light. Historically informed and rigorously researched, Language Rights: From Free Speech to Linguistic Governance provides a singular critique of the human rights industry and its endeavours to speak for us, infantilise us, and protect us from ourselves. In providing a robust and wide-ranging libertarian defence of the freedoms of speech, Pupavac’s book ranks as a modern classic. Written in a fluid and accessible style, Language Rights is highly recommended, not only for specialists or students, but for engaged and concerned citizens everywhere.’ – Mark Duffield, Emeritus Professor, Global Insecurities Centre, University of Bristol and author of Global Governance and the New Wars and Development, Security and Unending War.

‘In this exciting and essential new book Vanessa Pupavac builds on her earlier work on language rights politics and international therapeutic governance. She has written a wide-ranging, sophisticated and highly erudite defence of the classical values of freedom of speech, in the face of what she describes as forms of ‘legal imperialism’ antithetical to humanist emancipatory politics. Her passionate and controversial arguments will be required reading for students, scholars and policy-makers concerned with linguistic human rights.’ Professor Bill Bowring, School of Law, Birkbeck College, University of London, and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, and author of Degradation of the International Legal Order?