Economic Nationalism and Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

This chapter addresses conceptual relationships between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a set of related phenomena typically labeled as economic nationalism, economic patriotism, economic protectionism, populism, and antiglobalization. The research question addressed is whether this set of related phenomena redefines or at least affects CSR in significant ways that practitioners and scholars should include in the conception of CSR and, if so, how theoretically. Such investigation is affected by two essential circumstances. First, CSR remains a topic of continuing theoretical controversy: specific “responsibility” of any business anywhere is not a resolved matter. Second, economic nationalism and related phenomena—which appear to be rising in importance—are opposed to the economic, political, and social globalization effects following the 1995 founding of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The chapter seeks to refine CSR for varying conditions as shaped by economic nationalism, economic patriotism, economic protectionism, populism, and antiglobalization.