On the Spirit of Rights

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The book explores the evolution of the concept of rights from late medieval times through the American and French Revolutions, highlighting how these ideas justified the transfer of sovereignty from monarchs to the people. Dan Edelstein delves into the debates among various influential figures—politicians, jurists, and philosophers—who shaped modern constitutional governance. By tracing the historical lineage of rights claims, the work connects past notions to contemporary understandings, culminating in a comprehensive view of human rights' development up to the 1948 Universal Declaration.