The Corporation - Ethical Analysis
Traits associated to a psychopath include irresponsibility, manipulation, grandioseness, lack of empathy, asocial tendencies, inability to feel remorse, refusal to take responsibility for one's actions and superficial relations with others. Modern day corporations display every one of the previously listed characteristics. Is it right that an institution, whose power now rivals that of the State that once created it to seek the better welfare of its citizens, display the psychological traits of a dangerous personality disorder? Many say no: there is a rising discomfort with the corporation and its pervasion into every sphere of human life and it is this uneasiness that has prompted many academics to further study the corporation and its self-interested pursuits. Joel Bakan, a Canadian law professor teaching and living in British Columbia, is one of these academics and he has, in a well written, thought provoking book, attempted to demystify the contemporary corporation. The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power was written in conjunction with the filming of the documentary of the same name and in consequence, the book is filled with interesting quotes from interviews with the world's leading CEOs, anti-corporate spokespeople, economists and authors, presenting all sides of the debate on the corporation. Supported by concrete examples, Bakan delves into the world of profits at any cost, limited liability, corporate social responsibility, externalities, deregulation, privatization and the result is an eye-opening text that will make even the biggest believers in capitalism question the legitimacy of the corporation's corrupt character.
When corporations were first created in the 18th century, they were incorporated to serve public purposes like building bridges or railways. Corporate charters gave them their right to exist and set out limits on their size and the scope of their activities. These charters also limited the life span of
When corporations were first created in the 18th century, they were incorporated to serve public purposes like building bridges or railways. Corporate charters gave them their right to exist and set out limits on their size and the scope of their activities. These charters also limited the life span of
Bibliography: Bakan, Joel. (2005). The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power. London: Constable. Basu, K., Mintzberg, H. & Simons, R. (2002, June) Memo to: CEOs, Five Half-truths of Business. Fast Company, Issue 59, p.117. Cray, Charlie. (2002, Oct/Nov) Chartering a New Course: Revoking Corporations ' Right to Exist. Multinational Monitor, Vol. 23, Issue 10, p. 8. Gray, John. (1999) False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism. London: Granta Books.