International Business, Law, and Sustainability

Catalog description

Is economic globalization sustainable? This course examines how late 20th century's hyper-globalization has been underpinned by norms and practices that have fostered global economic growth but also increased economic inequalities between and among countries, and fueled a global race-to-the-bottom in tax, labor and environmental regulations. It will trace the roots of the quadruple crisis that we are now facing globally (economic, ecological, social and political) to the legal foundations of international business. While always restating legal issues within their broader context, the course will enable students to gain technical knowledge on several areas of the law that are relevant to international business (private international law, international trade and investment law, tax law, contract law, tort law, competition law, corporate law and governance). This course will also highlight forward- looking analyses and reform proposals aimed at aligning international business conduct with sustainable development goals through the law.