Teaching Business Ethics: Evolution of Human Rights and ...

After scanning through Talbott's excellent book Which Rights Should Be Universal? and doing some more research on the origins of the new wave of interest in Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), I developed the diagram below. Talbott points out that from a historical perspective the evolution of rights finds its origins in repression. Eventually, the oppressed realize that oppression is not in their interest and the oppressors would not wish the same treatment for themselves. The natural human urges for equality and autonomy assert themselves and revolution occurs. Revolutions may be violent as in 1776 or "quiet" as the fall of communism in 1989. Add to this the influence of thinkers like Locke and Kant who provide the rational basis for rights and the evolutionary progress toward globally accepted standards of rights begins. This process is a great example of the process of discovery of moral truths. It fits the the theory of ethical realism that I use in my courses.

Corporations, which are quasi-persons in the global community, have responded by recognizing the rights of employees and agreeing to support various human rights. This does not solve the dilemmas faced by MNCs by any means. Indeed, it amplifies them. Because some nations are unwilling or unable to enforce even elementary human rights and their corporate-based offshoots, such as protection for whistle-blowers, the responsibility has fallen to MNCs. Add to this concerns about what in my (present) opinion are the extended and dubious "rights" associated with living standards, social security, and health care (item 25 of the Universal Declaration, 1948). How many of these kinds of "rights" will MNCs be responsible for? Fortunately, the U.N. global compact is blissfully short and puts emphasis on the problems that are more directly addressable through corporate guidelines (bribery, child labor, environmental issues).

The diagram is meant for review, as part of new materials I am developing on these issues. I tried to use images that I thought would not infringe on any copyrights, but frankly I find the copyright "information" that appears on Google Images to be less than helpful.

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