Ideologies of Corporate Responsibility: From Neoliberalism to “Varieties of Liberalism”

Critical scholarship often presents corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a reflection or embodiment of neoliberalism. Against this sort of sweeping political characterization we argue that CSR can indeed be considered a liberal concept but that it embodies a “varieties of liberalism.” Building theoretically on the work of Michael Freeden on liberal languages, John Ruggie and Karl Polanyi on embedded forms of liberalism, and Michel Foucault on the distinction between classical liberalism and neoliberalism, we provide a conceptual treatment and mapping of the ideological positions that constitute the bulk of modern scholarly CSR debate. Thus, we distinguish between embedded liberalism, classical liberalism, neoliberalism, and re-embedded liberalism. We develop these four orientations in turn and show how they are engaged in “battles of ideas” over the meaning and scope of corporate responsibilities—and how they all remain relevant for an understanding of contemporary debates and developments in the field of CSR and corporate sustainability.

Rise of Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence: A Beacon of Hope or a Double-Edge Sword?

This article discusses the evolution, current trends, limitations and controversies around the understanding and practice of human rights due diligence (HRDD), a concept developed in the course of the work of United Nations (UN)-mandate holder, John Ruggie, and enshrined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. While the concept has gathered broad acceptance and a growing number of legislative proposals are seeking to entrench it in law, significant differences of opinion exist among stakeholders as to its nature, objectives and relationship, if any, with legal liability. These differing understandings are at play in a contest to shape future legislation. Some of these carry significant risks for rights-holders, notably the risk of outcome being superseded by process and superficial, compliance-oriented HRDD prevailing in the law or in its interpretation and practice. As legislative efforts continue, the authors warn against the risk of hollow laws which do little to change the status quo or, even worse, inadvertently provide a tool to further impunity for business-related human rights abuses.

Kesesuaian Timor Leste dengan Komunitas ASEAN

Sebagai satu-satunya organisasi regional yang hadir di kawasan Asia-Pasifik, ASEAN terbentuk secara konstruksi sosial dimana identitas, nilai dan norma menjadi penentu utama dalam dinamika regional. Dalam sejarahnya, kekuatan imaterial menjadi faktor utama dalam menentukan keanggotaan ASEAN. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan masuknya Vietnam, Kamboja dan Myanmar sebagai anggota ASEAN di tahun 1990. Akan tetapi, hal ini justru berbeda ketika Timor Timur mendaftarkan diri sebagai anggota ASEAN di tahun 2011. Beberapa negara menolak kehadiran Timor Timur dikarenakan dikhawatirkan negara anggota tersebut menjadi beban ekonomi bagi organisasi regional ini, meskipun secara identitas dan nilai Timor Timur dan negara anggota ASEAN saat ini memiliki banyak kesamanaan. Keadaan ini menunjukan bahwa dalam kasus Timor Timur ini, ASEAN telah mereduksi faktor imaterial dan menempatkan faktor material didepan dalam penerimaan anggota. Untuk membuktikan argumen tersebut, tulisan ini akan menggunakan teori multilateralisme yang diperkenalkan oleh John Ruggie dengan argumen dibutuhkan ekspektasi keuntungan timbal-balik dari organisasi regional. Tulisan ini melihat bahwa secara material Timor Timur belum memberikan keuntungan terhadap ASEAN sehingga faktor imaterial dengan mudah dapat tereduksi.

Los Principios Ruggie y la debida diligencia en el derecho fundamental de Consulta Previa

En este artículo se aborda la relación entre empresa y Estado, que se encuentra ligada por la aplicación de los Principios Rectores de las Naciones Unidas sobre las empresas y los derechos humanos «John Ruggie». Aunque estos principios no son fuente formal del derecho internacional, ya que son soft law, en su esencia, recopilan las bases para mitigar, prevenir y reparar las afectaciones a derechos humanos que causen las empresas en el desarrollo de actividades económicas a comunidades que se encuentren en un territorio específico. Debido a esto, cada vez más se ve su aplicación en políticas públicas por parte de los Estados y en planes de ejecución empresarial mediante la aplicación de la debida diligencia. Este concepto cobra mayor relevancia por ser una herramienta más de defensa de la Consulta Previa, y a su vez ser el puente de conexión entre la aplicación de los Principios Rectores y los efectos que conlleva generar una afectación a los derechos humanos. Abstract: This article approach the relationship between business and the State is linked by the application of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Human Rights and Business «John Ruggie». Although these principles are not a formal source of international law since they are soft law, in essence, they gather the bases to mitigate, prevent and repair the human rights violations caused by companies in the development of economic activities to communities that are in a specific territory. Also, it is increasingly seen its application in public policies by the States and in business execution plans through the application of due diligence. This concept is more relevant because it is one more tool to defend the Prior Consultation; and at the same time, be the connecting bridge between the application of the Guiding Principles and the effects entailed in generating an impact on human rights.

THE CHALLENGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS EFFECTIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION: WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS?

ABSTRACT In this paper, one analyzes the restructuring of power in the context of economic globalization and the recognition of the individual as a subject of international law. It recognizes that the strengthening of human rights impacts on state sovereignty, and its effectiveness finds obstacles in face of international trade transnationality and the lack of international accountability for companies' violations of human rights. It identifies the importance of strengthening international human-rights law, international solidarity, cooperation of States and the implementation effective actions. It analyses the work of the United Nations, especially in approving John Ruggie's "Protect, Respect, Remedy" Framework and his Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. It concludes that there has been progress, athough it is necessary to go further in order to implement and give effect to the principles.KEYWORDS: Human Rights; Transnational Companies; States; Globalization; United Nations. RESUMONeste artigo, analisa-se a reestruturação do poder no contexto da globalização econômica e o reconhecimento do indivíduo como sujeito do direito internacional. Reconhece que o fortalecimento dos impactos dos direitos humanos na soberania do Estado e sua eficácia encontram obstáculos em face da transnacionalidade do comércio internacional e da falta de responsabilidade internacional pelas violações de direitos humanos por parte das empresas. Identifica a importância de fortalecer o direito internacional dos direitos humanos, a solidariedade internacional, a cooperação dos Estados e a implementação de ações efetivas. Analisa o trabalho das Nações Unidas, especialmente ao aprovar o Marco de Proteção, Respeito e Remédio de John Ruggie e seus Princípios Orientadores para Empresas e Direitos Humanos. Conclui que houve progresso, embora seja necessário ir mais longe para implementar e dar efeito aos princípios.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Direitos humanos; Empresas Transnacionais; Estados; Globalização; Nações Unidas.

La superación de la doctrina clásica en torno a la subjetividad internacional en detrimento de las multinacionales

A la luz del debate auspiciado por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas en los últimos años, parece apropiado plantearse el estatus actual que ostentan las personas jurídicas en el ámbito de la regulación internacional, el cual se ha visto especialmente agravado tras la presentación del informe elaborado por el ex representante especial del secretario general, John Ruggie. La trascendencia de este tipo de estrategias radica en la posibilidad de que la comunidad internacional opte por la cristalización de una concepción amplia de la civitas maxima, rompiendo frontalmente con la concepción clásica relativa a la subjetividad internacional. De cualquier forma, falta esperar y comprobar si finalmente las acertadas —aunque, en ocasiones, poco tajantes— medidas adoptadas hasta la fecha culminan de forma exitosa, impulsando una auténtica y eficaz protección de las normas relativas a los derechos humanos en un sector tan controvertido como es, sin duda, el empresarial.

Multilateralism in Crisis

Some twenty-five years ago, John Ruggie defined “multilateralism” in terms that remain apposite today. As an international lawyer, this definition prompts me to reflect on the connections between the international legal order and multilateralism. To be sure, international law has unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral features, for example in lawmaking or law enforcement. Similarly, it can be wielded to unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral ends. Indeed, it is precisely because it transcends ends and issue areas, that international law, by providing “generalized” principles of conduct and interaction, is an important component of multilateralism.

THE EVOLUTION OF APPROACHES TOWARDS THE UNDERSTANDING OF HEGEMONY IN THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The article examines theoretical approaches of realism, liberalism, Marxism and constructivism towards the investigation, analysis and understanding of the phenomenon of hegemony in theory of international relations. It analyzes the fundamental claims of key representatives of each of the suggested theoretical approaches regarding hegemony. The authors emphasize the importance of theoretical works of representatives of each approach and demonstrate their direct influence on the formation and development of the studied theory within the science of international relations. In particular, the article provides an analysis of the theoretical views of such leading international relations scholars and theorists, as John Ikenberry, Robert Gilpin, Charles Kindleberger, John Mearsheimer, John Ruggie, Alexander Wendt and Christian Reus-Smit. In addition, the views of Antonio Gramsci, Robert Cox, Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, which formed the foundation of the theory of hegemony in international relations, were investigated. The authors emphasize on the fundamental impact of the investigated approaches of realism, liberalism, marxism and constructivism towards the understanding of the phenomenon of hegemony within the academia, as well as on the theoretical reasoning and on the realization of this phenomenon in international relations. Concordantly, the relevance of the study of the phenomenon of hegemony in terms of theory and practice of international relations is emphasized.

PAPEL DE LAS EMPRESAS Y DE LOS ESTADOS EN LA DEBIDA DILIGENCIA EN DERECHOS HUMANOS

<p>La relación de las empresas con los derechos humanos ha ido tomando cada vez más fuerza y en ese sentido se hace necesario precisar conceptos y apreciaciones sobre cuáles responsabilidades le son atribuibles a las empresas y cuáles a los Estados. Así, en el presente artículo las autoras buscan acercarse al concepto de debida diligencia, consagrada en los principios rectores sobre las empresas y los derechos humanos de John Ruggie, la cual recae en cabeza de las empresas en cuanto al respeto y protección de los derechos humanos, al tiempo que se quiere mostrar cuáles aspectos de este deber son responsabilidad de los particulares y cuáles del Estado. Por tanto, se expondrán, a lo largo del artículo, (I) el concepto de debida diligencia; (II) cómo elaborar un proceso de debida diligencia en el marco de derechos humanos; (III) el desarrollo e implementación de procesos de debida diligencia en derechos humanos; (IV) límites a la debida diligencia de las empresas; y (V) precisar en materia de debida diligencia, cuáles son las obligaciones del Estado y cuáles sus límites. A modo de conclusión, las autoras buscan dar recomendaciones que permitan tanto a empresas como a Estados, un cumplimiento efectivo de sus obligaciones y responsabilidades.</p><p> </p>