In a thought-provoking conversation, Jamal Greene, a Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia, discusses themes from his book How Rights Went Wrong. He critiques America's infatuation with absolute rights, arguing it empowers judges at the expense of common sense solutions. Greene highlights the detrimental effects of this obsession on legal discourse and political polarization, especially regarding contentious issues like abortion. By contrasting U.S. rights frameworks with more nuanced international approaches, he calls for honest dialogue and a reevaluation of how society interprets rights.
Vox's Zack Beauchamp talks with Columbia law professor Jamal Greene about his book How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession With Rights Is Tearing America Apart. They discuss how the US obsession with rights and their protections gives too much power to judges and the courts, makes it difficult for ordinary citizens to find reasonable solutions to legitimate problems, and has made this country's legal system not only nonsensical but dangerous.