The European Convention on Human Rights
Achievements, Problems and Prospects

This book critically appraises the European Convention on Human Rights at a time of considerable change.

Steven Greer (Author)

9780521608596, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 November 2006

386 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.57 kg

'… outstanding book … substantial contribution to the existing literature … excellent piece of human right scholarship … important point of reference for some time to come … well-written, clear and accessible … arguments are made with punch and style … combining rigourous argument with clear exposition.' International Journal of Law in Context

This book critically appraises the European Convention on Human Rights as it faces some daunting challenges. It argues that the Convention's core functions have subtly changed, particularly since the ending of the Cold War, and that these are now to articulate an 'abstract constitutional model' for the entire continent, and to promote convergence in the operation of public institutions at every level of governance. The implications - from national compliance, to European international relations, including the adjudication of disputes by the European Court of Human Rights - are fully explored. As the first book-length socio-legal examination of the Convention's principal achievements and failures, this study not only blends legal and social science scholarship around the theme of constitutionalization, but also offers a coherent set of policy proposals which both address the current case-management crisis and suggest ways forward neglected by recent reforms.

1. The first half century
2. Convention compliance
3. The applications and enforcement of judgment processes
4. The method of adjudication
5. The jurisprudence
6. Improving compliance
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Human rights & civil liberties law [LNDC], Laws of Specific jurisdictions [LN], International relations [JPS]