Includes bibliographical references (p. 401-441) and index.

Introduction -- Why international law? : the development of the international human rights regime in the twentieth century -- Theories of commitment -- Theories of compliance -- Civil rights -- Equality for women : education, work, and reproductive rights -- Humane treatment : the prevalence and prevention of torture -- The protection of innocents : rights of the child -- Conclusion.

"This volume argues that international human rights law has made positive contribution to the realization of human rights in much of the world. Although governments sometimes ratify human rights treaties, gambling that they will experience little pressure to comply with them, this is not typically the case. Focusing on rights stakeholders rather than the United Nations or state pressure, Beth A. Simmons demonstrates through a combination of statistical analyses and case studies that the ratification of treaties leads to better rights practices on average." "By several measures, civil and political rights, women's rights, a right not to be tortured in government detention, and children's rights improve, especially in the very large heterogeneous set of countries that are neither stable autocracies nor stable democracies. Simmons argues that international human rights law should get more practical and rhetorical support from the international community as a supplement to broader efforts to address conflict, development, and democratization."--BOOK JACKET.