At present, corporate social responsibility (CSR) for some may be not much more than an attitude. Can it be more? What degree of commitment can we reasonably expect of corporations in the struggle to eradicate poverty, promote human rights, halt climate change, and reverse ongoing environmental destruction? It is not a question of power; more than half of the world's top 100 economies are corporations, not nation-states. Whatever can be done to 'fix' the world's problems, corporations are in the best position to do. That they should act accordingly does not seem unwarranted, and for more and more corporations CSR is in fact a stated objective. In this impassioned work the well-known international lawyer Ramon Mullerat suggests that one of the root problems faced by CSR is one of definition. Various interested parties define the term differently, and their definitions clash. However, Dr Mullerat clearly shows in these pages that this very multiplicity of perspectives in fact enhances our ultimate comprehension of CSR. It is through an honest appreciation of the motivations and hopes behind each point of view - and of the nature of their conflict - that the way forward emerges. And as we examine these various perspectives, we inevitably come to a clear awareness of the role of corporations in the 21st century world order. Among the perspectives the author brilliantly elucidates are the following: - Ethics, philanthropy and CSR - sustainable livelihoods (provision of drinking water, health care, literacy); - opportunity (jobs, training, education); - legal and regulatory reform; - human rights; - the triple bottom line - the perception of CSR as 'virtue in the service of avarice'; - the efficacy of 'codes of conduct'; and - the problem of corruption and corporate criminal behaviour. Although this book will attract any general reader concerned with the state of today's world, it is sure to be taken up and pondered by lawyers, business executives, investors, and officials in positions to engage productively with its many powerful insights and ideas.

The current theory of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is developing along three interwoven lines - oral, social, and environmental. Although everybody recognizes that although CSR is of growing concern in a globalized economy, it being at the top of the board of director's agenda and also good for business, there is no sign of consensus on its rules, structures, or procedures. Now, this collection of essays by leading jurists, businesspeople, and academics takes a giant step toward a more cohesive and durable set of principles that can contribute to a cleaner environment and a better society while respecting and protecting the interests of all stakeholders. The authors approach this complex but critical subject from a variety of perspectives, including the following: * the role of CSR in corporate governance; * the legal enforceability of CSR rules; * the impact of international human rights standards; * CSR as part of 'corporate DNA'; * choice of CSR strategy - defensive or offensive; * the need for fair competition between developing country exporters; * the prospects for international social protection for workers; * enforcement of minimal standards in remote locations; * the active search for eco-efficient solutions; * corporate assumption of human rights responsibilities; * the legal weight of codes of conduct; and * the role of the lawyer in CSR. In a world where the annual income of the five largest business corporations is more than double the combined GNPs of the fifty poorest countries, the need for meaningful standards of corporate social responsibility should be obvious. The well-informed and considered analyses in this remarkable volume provide an excellent starting point for those anxious to move the agenda forward in this area that, despite the efforts of many companies, often seems so intractable. The book will be of immeasurable value to all professionals and academics in relevant fields of law, policy, and business.