Human Rights, Social Responsibility and the Regulation of International Business: The Development of International Standards by Intergovernmental Organisations

Abstract

This paper considers the role of IGOs in the process of developing new, human rights oriented, norms of corporate social responsibility. It develops an argument based on an identifiable distinction between at least three main ideological positions: the "hard libertarian", the "normative liberal" and the "regulatory functionalist". Each takes a different position on the need for, and the extent of, international standard setting activity in this area. However, at least among the latter two positions, an apparent consensus is emerging that some kind of international minimum standard for good corporate behaviour should be in place.