Abstract

The essays provides a critical analysis of Thomas Pogge's institutional conception of human rights. The central idea is that human rights are to be regarded as standards of justice according to which international institutions should be evaluated, thus overcoming the difficulties and problems faced by the international or substantial conceptions. The main questions, key concepts and intellectual debts towards philosophical traditions and specific authors (like Kant and Rawls), the most convincing aspects and the limits of Pogge's analysis are discussed. The exposition of the institutional approach to human rights is the base for further considerations about this issue.