Economic Statecraft in a Globalizing Economy: Is There and International standard for Human Rights?

Abstract

This essay considers the impact of economic globalization upon the development of an international standard of human rights performance. On one hand, the essay argues that economic globalization diminishes the impact of economic statecraft. Globalization, with its increased economic interdependence and diffusion of economic power has reduced the utility of states efforts to effect target state compliance "from the top down" by manipulating flows of aid, trade and investment. On the other hand globalization of economic processes promotes bottom-up pressure for regime compliance with human rights norms by facilitating and enhancing the efforts of non-state actors, particularly those comprising transnational human rights advocacy networks.