Corporation
Currently in Social Justice class, we are reading The Corporation by Joel Baken. Last class we watched a documentary film on sweatshops, in particular Wal-Mart's exploitation in Bangladesh. Before the film, the prof. asked that if we've purchased something at Wal-Mart in the past year to stand on one side, if not to stand on another. The result was approximately 50/50. Now, I don't personally support Wal-Mart and quite dislike each and every experience I've had at the store. However, there are some things that are simply more affordable there. Prime example: oil change. I can get my oil changed there for $19.99. I don't know anywhere else I could do that, unless I want to get up at 6am to catch some of those "Early Bird Specials", and I am not quite wiling to sacrifice my sleep. I am not sure if it's the particular socio-economic status of SLU students or other factors, but to never step foot in Wal-Mart seems extreme. I suppose it is very possible if you make a conscious effort and are willing to pay a premium.
After being split into groups, we then had a discussion about Wal-Mart. Again, I dislike the company, but I recognize why it exists and how it has managed to become such a giant presence in not only our society, but many societies around the world as well. The arguments presented by member of the class were rather flawed and an obvious lack of knowledge in the composition of a corporation and the way economy works. It's rather frustrating to hear the discussions. Also, Wal-Mart certainly isn't the only company having sweatshops in developing countries. If the same standard holds true, and people won't shop where goods are produced in sweatshops, then they either have to start making their own clothes, or walk around naked. I hope they all start sewing, cuz I don't want to see people strutting their stuff down the street!
I am not saying sweatshop is good, but coming from Taiwan and having heard stories from my parents who grew up when Taiwan WAS a developing country, foreign factories were perceived as a positive thing for the economy. It's a rite of passage. However, I do believe factory owners and foreign companies involved should demand basic human rights to be honored. The issue of fair wage can be quite subjective, but to not torture and provide proper safe working conditions should be a minimum requirement. I don't believe corporations are evil, but I do believe bureaucracy exists in many top-down management style of the corporate world. The leaders of the of the companies are usually so far detached from the grim reality of bottom-line workers. But this can be the same for governments and any other large organizations where the people up top have no real idea of what's happening to the employees down below.
In Joel Baken's book, he discussed how the corporation is an entity whose only goal is to maximize profit. It isn't a human being, therefore has no moral standards. However, if discussed in such context, aren't governments simply entities that are trying to maximize social profit for their own people regardless social costs to members of other nation? Isn't that what our president and many other leaders of the world are doing? If a leader of a nation is required to hold moral responsibility for his/her decisions, then so should leaders of a corporation.
I am only half way into the book, and I'm sure I'll have more to say as I read on. But for now must head to this class and hopefully not be too frustrated by the discussions.
After being split into groups, we then had a discussion about Wal-Mart. Again, I dislike the company, but I recognize why it exists and how it has managed to become such a giant presence in not only our society, but many societies around the world as well. The arguments presented by member of the class were rather flawed and an obvious lack of knowledge in the composition of a corporation and the way economy works. It's rather frustrating to hear the discussions. Also, Wal-Mart certainly isn't the only company having sweatshops in developing countries. If the same standard holds true, and people won't shop where goods are produced in sweatshops, then they either have to start making their own clothes, or walk around naked. I hope they all start sewing, cuz I don't want to see people strutting their stuff down the street!
I am not saying sweatshop is good, but coming from Taiwan and having heard stories from my parents who grew up when Taiwan WAS a developing country, foreign factories were perceived as a positive thing for the economy. It's a rite of passage. However, I do believe factory owners and foreign companies involved should demand basic human rights to be honored. The issue of fair wage can be quite subjective, but to not torture and provide proper safe working conditions should be a minimum requirement. I don't believe corporations are evil, but I do believe bureaucracy exists in many top-down management style of the corporate world. The leaders of the of the companies are usually so far detached from the grim reality of bottom-line workers. But this can be the same for governments and any other large organizations where the people up top have no real idea of what's happening to the employees down below.
In Joel Baken's book, he discussed how the corporation is an entity whose only goal is to maximize profit. It isn't a human being, therefore has no moral standards. However, if discussed in such context, aren't governments simply entities that are trying to maximize social profit for their own people regardless social costs to members of other nation? Isn't that what our president and many other leaders of the world are doing? If a leader of a nation is required to hold moral responsibility for his/her decisions, then so should leaders of a corporation.
I am only half way into the book, and I'm sure I'll have more to say as I read on. But for now must head to this class and hopefully not be too frustrated by the discussions.