The growth of rights defence movements in China reflects the increasing capacity of Chinese citizens to shape their own civic discourse in order to achieve diverse goals. Rights defence campaigns have taken novel forms which are unprecedented in China, including the use of the Internet by rights campaigners, the development of rights entrepreneurs, and the selection of representatives and leaders in rights defence campaigns.

Defending Rights in Contemporary China offers the first comprehensive analysis of the emergence and development of notions of rights defence, or weiquan, in China. Further, it shows that rights defence campaigns reflect the changing lives and priorities of Chinese citizens, both urban and rural, and the changing distribution of power in China. The Chinese government first used rights defence to promote the law and protect the rights of the weak. But the use of rights defence strategies by private citizens, and lawyers also demonstrates changing power structures – in areas as diverse as private property rights, rights for the handicapped, corruption claims and grievances with officials. In this book, Jonathan Benney argues that the idea of rights defence has gone from being a tool of the government to being a tool to attack the party-state, and explores the consequences of this controversial activist movement.

This book offers essential insight into the development of rights in contemporary China and will be highly relevant for students, scholars and specialists in legal developments in Asia as well as anyone interested in social movements in China.

About the Author

Jonathan Benney is a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Asia Research Institute.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We carry a wide selection of books from South Asia, United States, UK.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Readingos GmbH
Kaiserstra�e 47, Frankfurt am Main, 60329, Germany

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Shipping Terms

To ensure faster delivery, books may be shipped from any of the following locations Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), based on the buyer's address and product availability.

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.
Order quantity	25 to 45 business days	8 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 11.38	US$ 21.39

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.