The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth

The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Dungeon of Political and Religious Discussion

Message

CallaFirestormBW -> The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 7:15:56 AM)
We've had such fun with Tazzy's thread speculating on the end of organized religion that I thought I'd take things in a divergent but similar direction. (Thank you, tazzy, for the idea!) I woke up this morning wondering what would happen if, tomorrow, the concept of incorporation and the creation of corporate "legal" entities/persons were to end, and there was no possibility of restoring the concept. What do you think would happen to businesses ethics if every business had to answer to its immediate clientele, suppliers, and local community? What do you think would happen if there were no more 'chains' and megacorporations? What do you think would happen to the legal system if there were no way to hide from our responsibilities on EITHER side of the tort issue -- IE, there were no major corporations to get millions of dollars in settlements from, because the place you bought your coffee was just a neighborhood mom and pop -and- there was no "legal corporate person" to hide behind if a manufacturer or businessman decided to put out shoddy goods or steal from his employees or customers? Imagine. Dame Calla

Musicmystery -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 7:25:34 AM)
It wouldn't matter. International multicorporations are so integral today that first the entire economy would collapse. Local stores/consumers aren't much use if they've no assets. The vast majority of Americans have no savings at all, and most are seriously in debt. There would be total chaos. Law and order would be nonexistent (it costs money). The government would probably have to turn to martial law, but it's a very big country, and the government needs revenue and assets too. We would have to rebuild from the chaos. And speaking of business ethics--how many consumers happily pay more from less efficient local operations? Large business exists because the largest force by far in the economy, consumers (2/3 of GDP), support them. People bitch. If they couldn't bitch about corporations, they'd bitch about the corner store.

Mercnbeth -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 7:31:40 AM)
quote: What do you think would happen to businesses ethics if every business had to answer to its immediate clientele, suppliers, and local community? They do - if business immediate clientele, suppliers and the local community doesn't buy their product or service they close. quote: What do you think would happen if there were no more 'chains' and megacorporations? Prices would increase due to the reduced buying power. quote: What do you think would happen to the legal system if there were no way to hide from our responsibilities on EITHER side of the tort issue -- IE, there were no major corporations to get millions of dollars in settlements from, because the place you bought your coffee was just a neighborhood mom and pop -and- there was no "legal corporate person" to hide behind if a manufacturer or businessman decided to put out shoddy goods or steal from his employees or customers? A positive outcome - there would be fewer lawyers.

servantforuse -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 7:58:03 AM)
I'm not sure on the exact percent, but the number of people who are actually employed by large corporations in the US is somewhere between 15 and 20%. The rest work for small companies or for themselves. I'm tired of hearing about 'corporate greed'...

UncleNasty -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 10:16:23 AM)
It would tear a hole in the known universe and life as we know it would end. Uncle Nasty

tazzygirl -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/12/2009 4:14:07 PM)
lol... your wecome Calla! hopefully you have a more fruitful discussion than i did.

Vendaval -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/14/2009 10:07:24 PM)
Most Western societies would implode, there would be massive social and political unrest and guerrilla warfare for starters. And full scale warfare for severely limited resources; petroleum, water, crops, medical supplies, etc.

DarkSteven -> RE: The Grim Reaper and the Corporate Behemoth (8/14/2009 10:22:57 PM)
Alfred Sloan is frequently credited as the father of the modern corporation. He had to integrate several autonomous companies into General Motors. The corporation is a fascinating beast. To an extent, it acts like an individual and can sue or be sued. It actually allows the common people to own it through the sale of stock. The idea of the people controlling the means of production is revolutionary, when compared to nations where the governments own them. In the ideal world, corporations provide goods or services to consumers, jobs to its employees, and returns to its stockholders. The fact that corporate greed has perverted this, and is now squeezing its workers and ignoring its customers while destroying the wealth of its shareholders, has shown that the model is not guaranteed. IMO, the government now has an obligation to let the sucky corporations fail. No bailouts. No stimulus. If you can't create value for your customer, you do not deserve to live. After the lousy companies die, they will be replaced by healthy ones.

Page: [1]

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.03125