Okay. I have serious problems with David Henderson’s article, “The Case against ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’”. It almost seems to be a humorous article, if one appreciates sarcasm. I’m so stunned by his argument.
1. He says: The “notion of [corporate social responsibility (CSR)] is widely taken as well established but is in fact highly dubious”. I say: Uhh, what?? He describes CSR as a “threefold division into ‘economic’, ‘environmental’, and ‘social’ aspects” coupled with a “triple bottom line”. This means that corporations must concern themselves with the economic, environmental, and social implications that their business decisions will likely have. How is this dubious? Is this not the principal of basic business ethics? Is he implying that business ethics don’t/shouldn’t exist? He says this will impact profit by increasing costs, which he practically equates with the end of the world. God forbid that corporations treat workers like human beings! God forbid that corporations not dump chemicals into our drinking water! I mean, come on. Those costs are worth the money. I doubt that anyone with a soul would object to not dumping industrial waste into the natural commons or paying workers peanuts.
2. Literally, he says that “eco-efficiency” and “social justice” are “questionable objectives” that will “make everyone worse off”. Again: uhh, WHAT?? Is this sarcasm? How are these things questionable? Has he not read the UN Declaration of Human Rights? Even if you keep your head buried under the ground and totally don’t care nor believe in global climate change you have to admit that “social justice” is at least necessary. Perhaps I wouldn’t be so steamed about this if he had actually provided an adequate defense of his opinion. However, his reasoning, once again, falls entirely short. He explains that focusing on “eco-efficiency” “social justice” and “society’s expectations” will lead to “higher costs and lower profits”; thus “this effect of such enforced conformity is to limit competition and hence to worsen performance across the economy as a whole.” Wow. I’m so heartbroken that it’s a possibility that shareholders of enormous multinational enterprises (MNE) won’t be making enough money to wallpaper their mansions, only hand over fist.
PLEASE, David Henderson, don’t ever put yourself in a position where you are making decisions.
Beware of Neo-Cons!
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