Deliberation Without Democracy in Multi-stakeholder Initiatives: A Pragmatic Way Forward

Abstract Political CSR scholars argue that multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) should be designed to facilitate deliberation among corporations, civil society groups, and others affected by corporate conduct for their decisions considered democratically legitimate. However, critics reached within deliberative MSIs will lack democratic legitimacy so long as corporations are granted a role in helping make them. If the correct, it leads paradox. Corporations must excluded from holding decision-making authority if they function legitimate regulatory institutions at global level. this risks severely diminishing incentive of support participate MSIs, which often depend heavily success on visibility provided them participants. In paper, I apparent paradox irrelevant future study since is both unnecessary impractical researchers focus establishing systems governance Instead, recommend an approach informed three touchstones pragmatic philosophy guide study—a criterion usefulness , wariness category disputes commitment experimentalism . conclude drawing research political science social psychology demonstrates important practical such organizations, arguing zero inclusive can play bolstering effectiveness instruments.