"Chains of Justice is an excellent account of the emergence and diffusion of national human rights institutions. Broad in its historical and geographical sweep, Cardenas's book plumbs fundamental processes of comparative and international politics to explain the global diffusion of 'horizontal self-regulation' of human rights. Her case studies vividly illustrate the fundamental trade-off many states are willing to make: good-faith self-restraint in exchange for muted external criticism. This is a gem of a book: deep, moving, and utterly persuasive." (Beth Simmons, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University) "Chains of Justice accomplishes multiple astonishing feats. It is a must read for scholars and practitioners alike. It is accessible to newcomers to the study of national human rights institutions and, at the same time, significantly advances the knowledge of experts who have been closely examining these institutions for years. The book is packed with insights into the political conditions for creating and strengthening national institutions and the potential of these organizations to shape interactions between states and civil society. Sonia Cardenas proves, once again, that she is at the forefront of research on the origins and influence of these important institutions of accountability." (Ryan Goodman, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Professor of Law, Professor of Politics, and Professor of Sociology, New York University)
