Multinational Corporations: A case of impunity - An argumentation analysis on the parliamentary debate of the Swiss Business Initiative

Abstract: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media are constantly drawing attention to human rights violations caused by multinational corporations abroad (MNC). Due to the lack of an adequate framework to hold corporations accountable for their corporate misconduct across borders, there is a liability gap. Extensive research has been undertaken by political philosophers as well as lawyers attempting to fill the gap, leaving the question why it still exists. Currently, there is a debate in the Swiss parliament about the implementation of a constitutional law which could fill this gap. By conducting an argumentation analysis on the parliamentary debate about the Swiss Business Initiative (SBI), this thesis seeks to analyze how politicians are framing the debate, as well as what normative concerns of the academy have been discussed or left out. Finally, the paper concludes with seven findings that could be focused on more in praxis.