Part 1 Theoretical perspectives: a cross-cultural approach to validating international human rights - the case of retribution tied to proportionality, A.D.Renteln; human rights in divergent conceptual settings - how do ideas influence policy choices?, M.G.Johnson; human rights and culture change, J.Aschenbrenner; a policy approach to human rights law - the right to development, R.Siegel. Part 2 Measurement of human rights practices: some thoughts on the systematic measurement of the abuse of human rights, A.D.McNitt; measuring social and economic rights performance in the People's Republic of China - a comparative perspective among developing Asian countries, S.C.Thomas; gender - generic language in the United States Constitution - gender bias versus democratic ideals, E.L.McDonagh and E.C.McDonagh. Part 3 Explanations of cross-national variations: comparative human rights - promise and practice, K.Pritchard; correlates of due process, D.L.Cingranelli and K.N.Wright; democracy and economic human rights in the Third World, N. Spalding; militarization, human rights and basic needs in the Third World, R.M.Rosh; abortion, rights and public policymaking in six Western democracies, J.E.Lennertz. Part 4 Consequences of cross-national variations: can democracy survive where there is a gap between political and economic rights, Z.F.Arat; human rights and US bilateral aid allocations to Africa, T.N.Pasquarello.

This study attempts to facilitate the development of empirical theories relevant to human rights phenomena. It is designed to be of use to policymakers regarding appropriate strategies for measuring human rights practices and for evaluating human rights policies.