Just Words
Constitutional Rights and Social Wrongs
- Publisher
- University of Toronto Press
- Initial publish date
- May 2017
- Category
- Constitutional, Constitutions, Human Rights, Canadian, Civil Rights, Political Freedom
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781487516550
- Publish Date
- May 2017
- List Price
- $34.95
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780802074805
- Publish Date
- Jun 1997
- List Price
- $35.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781487516727
- Publish Date
- Jun 2017
- List Price
- $25.95
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780802004611
- Publish Date
- Jun 1997
- List Price
- $67.00
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Description
The Canadian Charter of Rights is composed of words that describe the foundations of a just society: equality, freedom, and democracy. These words of justice have inspired struggles for civil rights, self-determination, trade unionism, the right to vote, and social welfare. Why is it, then, that fifteen years after the entrenchment of the Charter, social injustice remains pervasive in Canada?
Joel Bakan explains why the Charter has failed to promote social justice, and why it may even impede it. He argues that the Charter's fine-sounding words of justice are 'just words.' Freedom, equality and democracy are fundamental principles of social justice. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenches them in Canada's highest law, the constitution. Yet the Charter has failed to promote social justice in Canada. In Just Words, Joel Bakan explains why.
Sophisticated in its analyses but clearly written and accessible, Just Words is cutting-edge commentary by one of Canada's rising intellectuals.
About the author
Joel Bakan is a professor of law at the University of British Columbia.