The Corporation: A Critical Review - Medium

Here is the outline of the article I created based on your topic and instructions: H1 The Corporation: A Book Review --- --- H2 Introduction H3 What is the book about? H3 Who is the author? H3 Why is the book important? H2 Summary of the main arguments H3 The corporation as a psychopath H4 The legal mandate of profit maximization H4 The harmful consequences of corporate behavior H3 The corporation as a power H4 The rise and dominance of the corporation H4 The co-optation and capture of regulators H3 The corporation as a problem H4 The exploitation of people and resources H4 The environmental degradation and climate change H2 Critical analysis of the book H3 The strengths of the book H4 The use of evidence and examples H4 The appeal to a wide audience H3 The weaknesses of the book H4 The lack of nuance and balance H4 The pessimism and cynicism H2 Conclusion and recommendations H3 What are the main takeaways from the book? H3 Who should read the book and why? H3 How can the book inspire action and change? And here is the article I wrote based on the outline: # The Corporation: A Book Review ## Introduction Have you ever wondered what kind of entity a corporation is? How did it become so powerful and influential in our society? What are the impacts of its actions on people, communities, and the planet? If you are interested in these questions, you might want to read *The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power* by Joel Bakan. ### What is the book about? *The Corporation* is a book and documentary film by Joel Bakan that examines the nature of corporations and their behavior . Bakan argues that corporations are mandated to pursue profit on behalf of shareholders, which can lead to callous, antisocial, and even unlawful behaviors. Corporations have become more powerful than their overseers and often co-opt regulators to serve corporate agendas. Bakan suggests that governments should revive their authority over corporations to prevent them from exploiting the masses and fouling the environment for the short-term benefit of a handful of shareholders. ### Who is the author? Joel Bakan is a professor of law at the University of British Columbia, and an internationally renowned legal scholar and commentator. A former Rhodes Scholar and law clerk to Chief Justice Brian Dickson of the Supreme Court of Canada, Bakan has law degrees from Oxford, Dalhousie, and Harvard. His critically acclaimed international hit, *The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power* (Free Press, 2004), electrified readers around the world (it was published in over 20 languages), and became a bestseller in several countries. The book inspired a feature documentary film, *The Corporation*, written by Bakan and co-created with Mark Achbar, which won numerous awards, including best foreign documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, and was a critical and box office success. A sequel film, *The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel*, was released in 2020. ### Why is the book important? The book is important because it exposes the dark side of the corporation, which is often hidden or ignored by mainstream media, politicians, academics, and even consumers. It challenges us to rethink our relationship with corporations, which have become ubiquitous and influential in our lives. It also offers some hope and guidance on how we can reclaim our democracy, our rights, our dignity, and our planet from corporate domination. ## Summary of the main arguments In this section, I will summarize the main arguments that Bakan makes in his book. He organizes his book into three parts: The corporation as a psychopath, The corporation as a power, and The corporation as a problem. ### The corporation as a psychopath In this part, Bakan argues that the corporation is created by law to function much like a psychopathic personality whose destructive behavior, if left unchecked, leads to scandal and ruin. He backs his premise with the following claims: #### The legal mandate of profit maximization Bakan explains that the corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners, managers, employees, and customers. It has its own rights and obligations, and its own interests and goals. The primary goal of the corporation is to maximize profit for its shareholders, who are the legal owners of the corporation. This goal is enforced by law, which gives shareholders the power to sue directors and managers who fail to act in the best interests of the corporation, which is synonymous with the best interests of the shareholders. This means that the corporation has a legal duty to pursue its own economic self-interest, regardless of the social or environmental consequences of its actions. #### The harmful consequences of corporate behavior Bakan provides many examples of how corporations harm people, communities, and the environment in their pursuit of profit. He cites cases of corporations that have lied, cheated, stolen, bribed, polluted, exploited, discriminated, manipulated, and even killed to increase their bottom line. He also shows how corporations use their immense resources and influence to lobby governments, fund think tanks, sponsor media outlets, and shape public opinion to advance their interests and avoid accountability. He argues that corporations are inherently antisocial, amoral, and irresponsible, because they lack any sense of empathy, guilt, remorse, or conscience. They are driven by a single-minded rationality that disregards any moral or ethical considerations. ### The corporation as a power In this part, Bakan argues that the corporation has become more powerful than its overseers and often co-opts regulators to serve corporate agendas. He backs his premise with the following claims: #### The rise and dominance of the corporation Bakan traces the historical evolution of the corporation from its humble origins as a chartered entity that served public purposes to its current status as a dominant economic institution that shapes society. He explains how corporations gained legal rights and privileges over time, such as limited liability, perpetual existence, free speech, and personhood. He also describes how corporations expanded their size and scope through mergers, acquisitions, diversification, globalization, and innovation. He argues that corporations have become so powerful that they can challenge or surpass the authority of governments, which are supposed to regulate them in the public interest. #### The co-optation and capture of regulators Bakan reveals how corporations use their power and influence to co-opt or capture regulators who are supposed to oversee them. He exposes how corporations infiltrate government agencies, bribe or threaten politicians, fund political campaigns, draft legislation, influence policy-making, and undermine enforcement. He also shows how corporations manipulate international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank (WB), to promote free trade and deregulation that favor corporate interests over human rights and environmental protection. He argues that corporations have corrupted democracy and weakened the rule of law by subverting the will of the people and the public good. ### The corporation as a problem In this part, Bakan argues that the corporation is a problem that needs to be solved by reviving government authority and public accountability. He backs his premise with the following claims: #### The exploitation of people and resources Bakan demonstrates how corporations exploit people and resources for their own benefit. He documents how corporations violate labor rights, human rights, consumer rights, and indigenous rights in their operations around the world. He also illustrates how corporations deplete natural resources, such as water, land, forests, minerals, and oil in their production processes. He argues that corporations create social inequalities and injustices by transferring wealth from the poor to the rich, from the workers to the owners, from the public to the private. #### The environmental degradation and climate change Bakan warns how corporations degrade the environment and contribute to climate change by their activities. He reports how corporations emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (F-gases) into the atmosphere through their use of fossil fuels. He also reveals how corporations generate waste and pollution that contaminate air, water, soil, and biodiversity. He argues that corporations pose an existential threat to life on Earth by causing global warming, extreme weather events, sea level rise, melting ice caps, ocean acidification, and mass extinction. ## Critical analysis of the book In this section, I will provide a critical analysis of the book by evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. ### The strengths of the book The book has several strengths that make it a compelling and persuasive read. Some of these strengths are: #### The use of evidence and examples Bakan supports his arguments with a wealth of evidence and examples from various sources, such as academic studies, legal cases, historical records, media reports, interviews, and conversations with business leaders, social commentators, researchers, activists, scientists, and other influential thinkers. He uses these sources to illustrate his points and to provide credibility and authority to his claims. He also uses anecdotes and stories to make his arguments more engaging and relatable to the reader. #### The appeal to a wide audience Bakan writes his book in a clear, concise, and accessible language that can appeal to a wide audience. He avoids using jargon or technical terms that might confuse or alienate the reader. He also explains complex concepts and ideas in simple and understandable ways. He addresses the reader directly and invites them to question and challenge their assumptions and beliefs about corporations. He also uses humor and irony to lighten the tone and to expose the absurdity and hypocrisy of corporate behavior. ### The weaknesses of the book The book also has some weaknesses that might limit its impact or validity. Some of these weaknesses are: #### The lack of nuance and balance Bakan presents his arguments in a very black-and-white manner that leaves little room for nuance and balance. He portrays corporations as evil, greedy, and ruthless entities that have no redeeming qualities or positive contributions to society. He also ignores or dismisses any counterarguments or alternative perspectives that might challenge or complicate his thesis. He does not acknowledge any diversity or variation among corporations in terms of their size, structure, culture, industry, or social responsibility. He also does not consider any potential benefits or trade-offs of corporate activity, such as innovation, employment, growth, or consumer choice. #### The pessimism and cynicism Bakan paints a very bleak and pessimistic picture of the current state of affairs and the future prospects of humanity under corporate rule. He does not offer much hope or optimism that things can change or improve for the better. He also expresses a lot of cynicism and distrust towards any attempts or initiatives by corporations to reform themselves or to act more ethically or sustainably. He views these efforts as mere PR strategies or greenwashing tactics that are designed to deceive the public and to avoid regulation or accountability. He also doubts the ability or willingness of governments, civil society, or individuals to challenge or resist corporate power. ## Conclusion and recommendations In conclusion, *The Corporation* is a provocative and insightful book that exposes the dark side of the corporation and its impacts on society and the environment. It argues that corporations are pathological entities that pursue profit at all costs, regardless of the harm they cause to others. It also shows how corporations have become more powerful than governments and have corrupted democracy and the rule of law. It suggests that governments should reclaim their authority over corporations and hold them accountable for their actions. ### What are the main takeaways from the book? The main takeaways from the book are: - Corporations are legal entities that are created by law to function much like psychopathic personalities whose destructive behavior, if left unchecked, leads to scandal and ruin. - Corporations have a legal mandate to maximize profit for their shareholders, which can lead to callous, antisocial, and even unlawful behaviors. - Corporations have become more powerful than their overseers and often co-opt regulators to serve corporate agendas. - Corporations exploit people and resources for their own benefit, creating social inequalities and injustices. - Corporations degrade the environment and contribute to climate change by their activities, posing an existential threat to life on Earth. ### Who should read the book and why? The book is suitable for anyone who is interested in learning more about corporations and their role in society. It is especially relevant for students, teachers, researchers, activists, journalists, policymakers, consumers, workers, shareholders, managers, directors, lawyers, and anyone who is affected by or involved with corporations in any way. The book can help them gain a deeper understanding of the nature and behavior of corporations, the challenges and opportunities they face, and the implications they have for democracy, human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. ### How can the book inspire action and change? The book can inspire action and change by raising awareness and consciousness about the problems caused by corporations and by motivating people to take action to solve them. The book can also provide some guidance and suggestions on how people can take action and change in different ways, such as: - Educating themselves and others about corporations and their impacts on society and the environment. - Supporting or joining movements and organizations that advocate for corporate reform, accountability, and responsibility. - Demanding or lobbying for stronger and more effective regulation and enforcement of corporations by governments and international institutions. - Boycotting or divesting from corporations that engage in harmful or unethical practices. - Choosing or creating alternative forms of business or economic activity that are more democratic, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly. # FAQs Q: What is the main thesis of the book? A: The main thesis of the book is that the corporation is a pathological entity that pursues profit at all costs, regardless of the harm it causes to others. Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The author of the book is Joel Bakan, a professor of law at the University of British Columbia, and an internationally renowned legal scholar and commentator. Q: What are some examples of corporate behavior that the book exposes? A: Some examples of corporate behavior that the book exposes are: - Lying about the health risks of tobacco, asbestos, and other products. - Cheating on taxes, accounting, and regulations. - Stealing from workers, consumers, and competitors. - Bribing politicians, judges, and officials. - Polluting the air, water, and soil. - Exploiting workers, consumers, and communities. - Discriminating against women, minorities, and indigenous people. - Manipulating public opinion and media. - Killing people through wars, accidents, and diseases. Q: What are some solutions that the book proposes? A: Some solutions that the book proposes are: - Reviving government authority and public accountability over corporations. - Strengthening regulation and enforcement of corporate behavior. - Supporting or creating alternative forms of business or economic activity that are more democratic, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly. Q: How can I learn more about the book or the author? A: You can learn more about the book or the author by visiting their websites: - https://joelbakan.com/the-corporation-book/ - https://www.thecorporation.com/

The Corporation Book Joel Bakan

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