The active pursuit of social and labour rights is seen as a crucial response to globalisation. These essays, written by leading scholars from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA, question the effectiveness of the new rhetoric of rights such as those to decent work and security, equal opportunity, adequate food and housing, and healthcare. The authors examine emerging new approaches in several European countries, Japan, and the USA and in codes of practice of multinational companies. Recent attempts by the International Labour Organisation to promote core rights and decent work, and new techniques of enforcement at regional level by the EU and NAFTA receive special attention.
