ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on economic, social rights and the rights to education, food, health, adequate housing and water. It introduces the theoretical framework and historical background of business and socio-economic rights with an introduction that sets out the theoretical conundrum and research question concerning corporate accountability arising from economic and social rights, including several instances where corporate activities have allegedly violated socio-economic rights. The book explains certain good practices of businesses and identifies corporate human rights obligations. It analyzes the existing scope and nature of corporate accountability and obligations arising from socio-economic rights. The book provides a definition of corporate accountability for socio-economic rights, and considers new possibilities for access to justice and devise solutions to improve them. It examines corporate accountability for socio-economic rights in practice by studying some case studies.
