This chapter chronicles a personal shift from corporate law to the B Corp movement, highlighting the initial doubts of the Delaware legal community regarding Benefit Corporations. It examines the intricate ties between corporate practices, investment responsibilities, and the broader societal impacts of these actions, advocating for a more inclusive approach to shareholder activism. The discussion calls for urgent reforms in capitalism, emphasizing the need to balance profit motives with the health of democracy and environmental sustainability.
In the first of two episodes looking at responses to capitalism’s failings, we explore reforms aimed at making the current economic system more humane, fair, effective, and sustainable.
By John Biewen with co-host Ellen McGirt. Interviews with Lutz Schwenke, Jordi Llatje i Espinal, Marjorie Kelly, Oren Cass, Jayati Ghosh, John Fullerton, and Rick Alexander. Story editor: Loretta Williams. Music by Michelle Osis, Lilli Haydn, Chris Westlake, Alex Symcox, and Goodnight, Lucas. Music consulting by Joe Augustine of Narrative Music.
"Capitalism” is a production of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, in partnership with Imperative 21.