ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 analyses the work of the SRSG in developing the UNGPs, in order advance towards a more effective global regime for the prevention of, and remedy for, business-related human rights harm. This chapter rests on the assumption that in order to understand why and how the UNGPs came about and its potential for fostering change, we should take into account the broader global governance context. Since it is the SRSG who developed the UNGPs, it is important to understand the SRSG’s views and intentions. The UNGP’s objectives can only be properly ascertained by reference to the SRSG’s approach of ‘principled pragmatism’ and understanding of CSR as a key component of ‘polycentric’ governance. The SRSG situates the UNGPs in terms of ‘polycentric’ global governance and characterizes the UNGPs, too, as a ‘polycentric’ governance system.
