Anthony Woodiwiss's pathbreaking book was the first substantive contribution to a sociology of human rights. In it, he takes up the question of whether so-called Asian values are compatible with human rights discourse and argues against human rights issues being the major obstacle to East-West co-operation. Dr Woodiwiss's sociological and post-structuralist approach to the concept of rights, and his incorporation of the transnational dimension into sociological theory, enable him to demonstrate how the global human rights regime can accommodate Asian patriarchalism, while Pacific Asia is itself adapting by means of what he calls 'enforceable benevolence'. His studies of Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore highlight similarities between Pacific-Asian and Western societies and offer a positive view of the social forces obtaining in these territories.

"In excellent case studies of the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, the author treats postcolonial paternalistic labor policies as a healthy form of `enforceable benevolence.' His study will contribute to greater appreciation of Asian values for a select audience of academics." Choice

"...a particularly compelling illustration of the hybrid origins and diverse multiplicity of contemporary Asian modernities." Pacific Affairs

"The major strength of Woodiwiss's Globalisation, Human Rights and Labour Law in Pacific Asia is his sociologically informed analysis of labor law regimes in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore." Braham Dabscheck, Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal