In 1986, the UN declared the right to development to be an inalienable human right, entitling everyone to 'participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be realised.' The UN seeks to mainstream the right into its policies and operational activities, and has considered prospects for an internationally-binding legal instrument. Although the right to development has been hailed as the cornerstone of the entire human rights system, serious misgivings about its validity and usefulness persist. This book addresses the major questions in the debate, including the legal basis, substance and status of the right. It then examines the realisation of the right to development in the context of international economic law and policy, identifying key principles such as corporate social responsibility, differential treatment of developing countries, and the rights-based approach to development. ...
