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14 Harv. Hum. Rts. J. 285 (2001)
Book Notes

handle is hein.journals/hhrj14 and id is 291 raw text is: Book Notes Levi's Children: Coming to Terms with Human Rights in the Global Marketplace. By Karl Schoenberger. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2000. Pp. 290. $25.00, cloth. Levi's Children explores the complex dynamics that define contemporary discussions about the social responsibility of multinational corporations. In particular, the book addresses the tensions that surround attempts to foster corporate accountability in the area of human rights. Karl Schoenberger ad- dresses these topics through a revealing and sympathetic profile of Levi Strauss & Co. (Levi's), interwoven with a comprehensive look at the broad array of actors that influence corporate decision-making. His analysis pro- vides a needed voice to the dialogue on corporate activities, for it is neither condemnatory nor laudatory. Rather Schoenberger provides a realist's view of the choices facing corporate management in a globalized economy and high- lights the exemplary characteristics of one of the apparel industry's icons. Levi's was determined to operate in accordance with established ethical guidelines before such stated principles became fashionable and prevalent among apparel manufacturers. Credit for this ethos is in large part due to the values of the family that has led the company for five generations, be- ginning with Levi Strauss and ending with Robert D. Haas, the current chairman of the board. Schoenberger outlines the history of the company under this family's leadership, noting that it desegregated its manufacturing facilities in the 1950s in advance of many other companies and that in 1975 it was among the first to formulate a set of formal ethical guidelines for its business operations. More recently, Levi's drafted one of the first codes of conduct covering international manufacturing operations, a document which was published in 1992. In accordance with its stated principles, Levi's led the way for many companies by withdrawing its operations from Burma in 1992 because of human rights concerns. Perhaps most notably, the company went against the prevailing tide of global commerce in 1993 when it an- nounced plans to withdraw from China due to concerns about human rights violations in that country. Schoenberger provides context for his descriptions of Levi's by laying out the universe of institutions and individuals with whom the company must interact. In broad strokes, the book addresses the roles of such diverse actors as non-governmental organizations, the Clinton Administration, and the business leaders of the World Trade Organization in setting the tone for con- temporary discussions of corporate social responsibility. In addition, Schoen- berger details various initiatives aimed at improving corporate conduct,

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