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The Documentary: Company vs Country

The Documentary: Company vs Country: Company v Country

Anti-TTIP protest in Munich.

21/07/2015 GMT

Company v Country

Company vs Country

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Company vs Country, Company v Country

The booming and lucrative business of multinational companies suing governments

The booming and lucrative business of multinational companies suing governments. Michael Robinson asks if these little-known lawsuits threaten the democratic process.

We investigate the booming and lucrative business of multinational companies suing governments. The strangely-named investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) system is built into thousands of treaties between countries around the world. It is a key part of negotiations for a new trade and investment treaty between the US and the EU. Yet on both sides of the Atlantic, resistance is mounting. Michael Robinson digs into the ISDS mechanism to find out if the fears are justified. Are these little-known lawsuits threatening the democratic process? 

(Image: Demonstration against TTIP in Munich. Credit: Reuters)

BBC World Service

Michael Robinson investigates the fears around the ISDS system, that could allow multinational companies to sue governments.

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