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jphrJan 25, 2012
A corporation is focused exclusively on profit disregarding all other considerations. That is their duty to their shareholders. This fits the classic description of a sociopath quite well. Their exclusive focus makes them efficient. However a capitalistic economic system is not by definition stable. Success/growth leads to oligopolies.
The political system defines the framework for the economic system. The political system is the only safeguard for citizens against exploitation by the economic system. The epic failure of the political system and of politicians in their fiduciary duty to citizens/voters/consumers put us in this current mess mostly because the economic system through campaign contributions was able to hijack the political system. Supreme Court's "Citizens United" only exacerbates this problem.
So any self respecting democracy supposedly based "on one man one vote" has to eliminate any corporate influence from the political process. The political process is exclusively for "natural persons" only with the explicit exclusion of "legal persons".
The title specifically mentions Apple so I can't withstand the urge suggest that this proposal for having corporations promoting democracy must come from a complete "iDiot" (you are free to trademark that).
norman619Jan 25, 2012
Leave it to Alternet to champion the system we have now where corporations corrupt the hell out of it.
hydroplaneJan 25, 2012
A society based on slave labor camps and propaganda campaigns and a leader that was hailed as genius and given undue worship didn't they try that in Germany a while back?
norman619Jan 25, 2012
It's happening here as well.
norman619Jan 25, 2012
Sorry but corporations don't build democratic societies. Private citizens do. What this article is proposing is scary and is exactly what we DO NOT want. It's what we are fighting against. Corporations should not be in the business of trying to influence government in any way.
limitgovJan 25, 2012
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep taking a vote on what's for dinner.
bwiiiJan 25, 2012
A better, more democratic society? Simple - Apple must be compelled by law to give 50% of their profits to less-equal people who have neither worked for, nor earned, the money. Those people will, in turn, vote for representatives who promise to get 'em the other 50%.
Democracy solved!
caredjoJan 25, 2012
They could, but I looove AAPL the way it's going.
spr0ketJan 25, 2012
Why would they bother with this? There's no profit in it.
JustSayNoPartyJan 25, 2012
Oh darn. I did not get 'in' before the crowd that believes it's all about me and to help their common man means to 'give a handout'. I got mine, now you get yours. I actually prefer this sentiment from the article:
"One of my main goals in life is to build a better world, to ease suffering, end oppression, and provide equality – all in order that others may have the freedom to pursue their own dreams."
As for the article, I'm torn. I do believe Corporations have a responsibility broader than simple profits. Corporations live in our communities and profit from being part of its fabric. Though largely, I believe the answer remains the 'free market' and making sure we do a much better job of setting up conditions so that there are more and better paying jobs. We've done an awful job at this. I believe we need to finally address education to meet the needs of the future. We need innovation. And we need infrastructure that actually build products from that innovation. I'd also prefer to prop up small and mid-sized companies that tend to be the real incubators for innovation. Let's get out of the 'too big to fail model' and back to basics.