Peace, Business, and Democracy

This research volume explores the intricate relationship between business, peace, and democracy, focusing on the critical role businesses play in influencing these processes. It explores why and how businesses can contribute to peace- and democracy-building, examining their potential both as benefactors providing essential services and as beneficiaries exploiting local fragility. The book offers a unique management perspective on these complex, long-term processes, challenging traditional views on business responsibility. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the positive and negative spillovers of business activities on peace and democracy. The book takes a pragmatist approach to theory building, linking core management concepts with real-world applications. It delves into the ethical and practical foundations of business responsibilities and assesses new ways of thinking about corporate social responsibility (CSR), Business for Peace (B4P), and Business and Human Rights (BHR). It also explores the political role of businesses in advancing sustainable peace, inclusive practices, transparent governance, and sustainable development. This book is essential for researchers, practitioners, civil servants in multilateral organisations, and advanced students in the fields of corporate social responsibility, business for peace, business ethics, and business and human rights studies. It provides valuable insights for those interested in the intersection of business practices and critical social goals, offering a comprehensive examination of how businesses can positively impact peace and democratic developments.