Human Security and the Politics of Corporate Social Responsibility in China

Exploring themes associated with corruption, sustainable development, and human rights and security, Robert J. Hanlon considers the political dynamics of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the context of the ‘Asian Century’ and its place in an increasingly multipolar world.

By assessing how social responsibility is changing the discourse around trade, development and diplomacy, Hanlon sheds light on how competing visions of social responsibility are influencing political narratives in China and the West, examining multipolarity, the construction of Global China, and the ascent of competitive pluralism. Chapters argue that the liberal economic order founded at Bretton Woods is wavering with Western governments and multinational corporations who are seeking new strategies to compete against China, especially in emerging economies known for weak governance structures and dysfunctional rule of law. As CSR emerges as a political tool for states and business actors, this timely book adopts a human security approach for assessing the weaponization of political values within an increasingly fragmented rule-based liberal order.

Expanding on the themes of constructivism, competitive pluralism and progressive neoliberalism, while introducing the novel concept of developmental CSR, this forward-thinking book will prove a vital resource for students, scholars and policymakers interested in Asian politics, public policy, CSR and international relations.