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The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

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Over the last 150 years the corporation has risen from relative obscurity to become the world's dominant economic institution. Eminent Canadian law professor and legal theorist Joel Bakan contends that today's corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of the great power it wields over people and societies. In this revolutionary assessment of the history, character, and globalization of the modern business corporation, Bakan backs his premise with the following observations:

  • The corporation's legally defined mandate is to pursue relentlessly and without exception its own economic self-interest, regardless of the harmful consequences it might cause to others.
  • The corporation's unbridled self-interest victimizes individuals, society, and, when it goes awry, even shareholders and can cause corporations to self-destruct, as recent Wall Street scandals reveal.
  • Governments have freed the corporation, despite its flawed character, from legal constraints through deregulation and granted it ever greater authority over society through privatization.
But Bakan believes change is possible and he outlines a far-reaching program of achievable reforms through legal regulation and democratic control. Featuring in-depth interviews with such wide-ranging figures as Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman, business guru Peter Drucker, and cultural critic Noam Chomsky, The Corporation is an extraordinary work that will educate and enlighten students, CEOs, whistle-blowers, power brokers, pawns, pundits, and politicians alike.

Product Details

  • Author: Joel Bakan
  • Publication Date: 2005-03-01
  • Publisher: Free Press
  • Product Group: Book
  • Manufacturer: Free Press - My alonovo Weighted Grade: C-
  • Binding: Paperback, 240 pages
  • Package Dimensions:
    • Dimensions: 830L x 550W x 70H
    • Weight: 60
  • List Price: $15.00
  • ISBN: 0743247469
  • ASIN: 0743247469

Customer Reviews

Average Amazon User Rating: Average rating: 4.5 stars

5 stars The greed of global corporations 2010-07-08

Reviewer: D. V. Short

This DVD will show many things global corporations have done for greed, even describing the collective psychopathic nature of organizations that function for the purpose of making money at the expense of everything else. The latest example is the BP oil drill leakage off the American coast.

One must realize that psychopathic organizations are headed by people who by their psychopathic nature get to the top of these organizations. Benevolent people aren't likely to succeed at getting to the top of the corporate ladders of such organizations.

The special features section of this DVD is well worth viewing, for it shows what positive things can be done to counter the effects of this psychopathic nature. Simpol.org can provide a global solution.

5 stars Read it and weep... 2010-06-21

Reviewer: Ssscoots

The book offers a compelling review of The Corporation and the impacts of same on our society. It is a sobering analysis and give cause for pause and contemplation. I encourage everyone to read this and consider the ramifications of corporations on society today.

5 stars the book pretells the BP oil spill 2010-06-05

Reviewer: Michael Meehan

I read this fasinating and informative book two weeks before the BP oil spill.
The be al and end all of corporations is to increase profits. If this means cutting down on the cost of safety costs, then the safety is to in order to increas profits The BP oil spill meant total sense to me after having read this thought provoking book

4 stars Bakan ignored something important 2010-03-25

Reviewer: SpiritualNaturalist

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a powerful lense use for looking at capitalism. But I think he over-simplifies with his argument that corporations have been legally mandated to single-mindedly pursue profits. Sure, most CEOs probably believe that this is their sole legal responsibility, but a number of legal scholars would disagree. Numerous people have pointed this out. Here's one example you can search.

Harvard Business Review: The Myth of Shareholder Capitalism

I think Bakan should have mentioned that this is actually an ongoing debate that was not at all settled with Dodge vs. Ford. If we want corporate executives to change behavior wouldn't it be a good idea to communicate the fact that they're are NOT obligated to only think of profits?

Comments on this are very welcome

5 stars Essential Reading... 2010-02-15

Reviewer: K. Hookey

A quick and concise run through why corporations can't be trusted and the evil that they can do (I think it's only 167 pages long). I also recommend "Greed, Inc." by Wade Rowland, which covers much the same ground.