Robert Bruhl

Robert Bruhl, an environmental sociologist from Brown University, delves into the intriguing origins of corporate free speech, tracing it back to Mobil Oil's Herb Schmertz in the 1970s. They discuss how pivotal Supreme Court cases like Bellotti and Citizens United reshaped corporate influence in politics. Bruhl examines the motivations behind oil companies' public relations strategies, questioning their true commitment to social responsibility. The conversation also touches on the implications of corporate personhood and the challenges faced during the energy crisis.