[T]he article considers the controversy between voluntarists and obligationists, the former being proponents of proposals, like the…United Nations Global Compact, that attempt to prevent human rights violations through the adherence of companies and the spontaneous development (i.e. free from state coercion) of good business practices. Obligationists,…[insist] on the need for punitive measures…on the prevention of human rights violations…by businesses. [The article presents] a brief account of recent actions of the United Nations involving corporations and human rights...