Book Review: Human Rights in China: A Social Practice in the Shadows of Authoritarianism

Abstract

Eva Pils’ new book, Human Rights in China: A Social Practice in the Shadows of Authoritarianism, is a timely study as China enters the Xi Jinping era, which is marked by blatant human rights transgression and dramatic legal-political reform measures that dazzle many outside observers concerned with the legal development of the country. The author’s thorough examination of human rights practices and the law in China unveils the logic behind the ‘rule of law’ rhetoric employed by the Party-State and exposes the difficulties of human rights advocacy in a variety of rights fields. The book concludes by casting serious doubts on China’s possible progress towards a liberal transition through legal institutions under authoritarianism.