Corporate Power and Accountability in International Economic Law.

The article examines the evolving landscape of corporate accountability under international law, focusing on the interplay of municipal statutes, nonbinding "soft law," and private standards in addressing irresponsible corporate behavior. It highlights four key areas of development over the past twenty-five years: anti-bribery and corruption measures, accountability in financing international development projects by multilateral development banks, business and human rights including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and emerging issues in foreign investor accountability and the concept of the "social license." While binding international accountability mechanisms remain limited, enforcement largely depends on national laws complemented by international norms, soft law instruments, and private standards, with increasing emphasis on self-regulation, stakeholder expectations, and corporate governance.