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Home Page > Digital libraries > London 2007

International Conference

Corporate Social Responsibility, Limited Liability, the Future of Globalisation

At the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), The Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD)

Sponsored by the Cambridge Journal of Economics (CJE), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Friends of the Earth

From 20 July 2007 to 21 July 2007

Presentation and call for papers

The Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London (UK), invites proposals for single or joint papers on corporate strategies and organisation in the global economy. Our particular focus will be on the role of limited corporate liability, but we are interested in contributions on a wide range of themes broadly relating to this particular focus.

Papers from the conference will be considered for inclusion in a Special Issue of the Cambridge Journal of Economics (edited by S. Blankenburg, D. Plesch and F. Wilkinson), as well as for a separate edited volume of conference proceedings.

Conference theme and objectives

For some time now, the increase in corporate power under the auspices of the global implementation of a neoliberal policy-agenda has been controversial. The role of corporate neo-liberalism is one of the key issues of international diplomacy as well as of the academic study of international economics. After the fall of socialism and of the Berlin Wall, a rapid expansion of neoliberal capitalism – often simply called 'globalisation' – followed suite. Yet, the glorious promise of the early days of more freedom and more prosperity is by now widely perceived to have failed the majority of the citizens of the newly globalised world: What dominates the headlines are tales of corruption, declining life expectancy and health in the population, weak labour rights and social security, of war and terrorism, of increased inequalities and social tension.

This conference is designed to make a specific and focused contribution to the on-going debate about the future of globalisation by taking a critical look at one of the central players –private corporations – and at an important 'rule of the game' that has become the preserve of these players in particular: corporate limited liability.

Business centred liberal democracy, as we know it, rose to power on the promise of equality before the law, equal opportunities for all, democratic accountability of its major institutions, and a considered balance between individuals' right to freedom of choice and decision, with a duty to account and be liable for the consequences. The much hailed 'good governance agenda' of leading international organisations, such as the World Bank, in many ways restates these principles and makes aid to developing economies dependent on their adherence to policies promoting free markets, democratic accountability, the rule of the law and political transparency. Of course, reality and principle have long been at loggerheads in many respects and many places. However, the fundamental exception - fundamental, because of its entrenched, largely un-refuted legal status and systematic application – is the exemption of one group in society from liability for their actions and decisions: The owner-shareholders of corporations operate under the legal rule of corporate limited liability.

In our view, a thorough re-examination of the role of corporate limited liability in today's global economy is, therefore, of utmost importance, and a central and useful conduit to a larger enquiry about the organisational patterns and strategies of private corporations and their impact on and relationship with the definition and organisation of public interests.

Themes for papers

We are open to suggestions and contributions that address this broad concern. Examples of specific topic of interest that would be welcomed include:

(1) The historical origins and development of corporate limited liability (CLL) and the role of joint stock companies in the history of capitalism (US, UK, Western Europe, the role of CLL in European colonies, in contemporary developing and transition economies).

(2) The analysis of corporate limited liability and joint stock companies in the work of leading economists

(3) The significance of corporate limited liability in the operations of today's national and trans-national private corporations, its effects on international prosperity and peace:

  • The role of CLL for international capital mobility
  • Can international corporations function without CLL?
  • The role of CLL for limited liability

(4) The contemporary legal debate on corporate limited liability and its ramifications for the socio-economic dynamics of global capitalism

  • The legal shape of CLL in different countries
  • CLL and corruption
  • States sovereign immunity and corporate sovereign immunity

(5) The role of CLL in specific socio-economic areas
  • CLL Health and Safety
  • CLL and Intellectual Property Rights (e-commerce, new technologies)
  • CLL in the professions
  • CLL and environmental externalities
  • The differeing role of CLL in the provision of private and public goods, CLL and private-public partnerships
  • Trade Unions positions on CLL

(6) Strategies for the reform of corporate limited liability:

  • Restoring accountability in law - abolish CLL and introduce insurance?
  • A balance of special interest privileges?
  • Corporate social responsibility, stake-holding and self-regulation?
  • From the legal accountability of Heads of State to the legal accountability of owners?

Deadline for submissions

Proposals for single or joint papers: Please send an abstract of not more than 500 words by email to Stephanie Blankenburg (sb123@soas.ac.uk) and/or Dan Plesch (dp27@soas.ac.uk) NO LATER THAN 15 APRIL 2007. Text, HTML, Word and PDF format attachments are acceptable. If you do not have access to the internet/e-mail, please send three copies of your abstract to:

Stephanie Blankenburg
Department of Economics
Faculty of Law & Social Sciences
SOAS
Russell Square, Thornhaugh Street
London WC1H 0XG
UK

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NEP-Soc Report
New Economics Papers on Social Norms & Social Capital: a service within the RePEc Project

News & Events


Upcoming conferences on social capital and related themes

Corporate Responsibility Research Conference in Leeds, July 2007.

Social capital, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, a Workshop and a Summer school in Trento, Italy, July 2007.

UK Social Network Conference, in London, July 2007.

Happiness in Global Perspectives & Local Interpretations in Bangkok, Thailand, July 2007.

Corporate Social Responsibility, Limited Liabilty, the Future of Globalisation in London, July 2007.

Rebuilding Sustainable Communities in Iraq in Boston, July 2007.

Culture and Behavioral Methods in Management in Bonn, August 2007.

Life-Long Learning in the City-Region, in Pécs, Hungary, September 2007.

Human Capital, Patenting Activity and Technology Spillovers in Copenhagen, September 2007.

Pathways to Legitimacy. The Future of Global and Regional Governance, in Warwick, UK, September 2007.

The International Social Capital and Networks of Trust Congress, in Jyväskylä, Finland, October 2007.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Growth, in Bangalore, India, October 2007.

Statistical evaluation of the economic and social development, in Iaşi, Romania, October 2007.

Benefits and Risks of Social Capital for the Third Sector in Milan, November 2007.

Social Capital and Interethnic Relationships, Hawaii, November 2007.

Poverty and Social Exclusion: Dynamics and Multidimensional Issues in Barcelona, November 2007.

Researching Work and Learning, in Cape Town, South Africa, December 2007.

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Iraq in Erbil, Iraq, December 2007.

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Social Capital Gateway
Edited by Fabio Sabatini
University of Rome La Sapienza
University of Siena
e-mail f.sabatini@unisi.it