Corporate human rights

: a critical examination of their role in serving transnational corporate power

Abstract

Transnational Corporations (TNCs) as bearers of Human Rights (HRs) for the sake of corporate power? This work contributes to the relatively new discussion of Corporate Human Rights (CHRs) from the perspective of (mis)using HRs in the context of the ongoing power shift between TNCs and nation-states. To accomplish that, this work extends the examination from the narrow legal-theoretical perspective to economic and political implications. By investigating the legal and philosophical dispute over CHRs and the challenge nation-states face against the growing power of TNCs we can analyze the interplay between these two realms. At the latest, since X’s vocal stance for the right to free speech, this issue has been dragged out of the scientific discussion into the public. The implications for real political issues raise the question of whether CHRs pose an institution worth pursuing in international law. This work concludes, that first, international HRs are not meant to include corporations in their scope. Second, there is no satisfying justification for accepting CHRs especially because of the lack of necessity due to the enormous power TNCs have gained economically and politically. Third, establishing CHRs raises the risk of TNCs becoming more harmful to the public.

Date of Award	15 Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Isabel Tavares (Supervisor)