Again I agree in theory but the problem is that the State structure is so weakened in all Developed countries after 20 years or so of a very effective and very clever series of neo-liberal assaults that it's very hard to see any government actually doing what you are suggesting... We'll see what happens with Medicare in the US as a good test case but I'm not that optimistic...
Anyway, we expect people as citizens and bureaucrats in governments to act ethically, why not those working in corporations... M -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Arthur Cordell Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:18 PM To: 'RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION,EDUCATION' Subject: Re: [Futurework] Well, it's a nice thought... The problem though is that when corporations assume the mantle of social responsibility then they are really becoming untouchable. The take on functions best left to govts. They sponsor one sort of fund raising activity or another thereby relieving govts from doing their job. If we hold corps to the bare bones function as espoused by Milton F., then govt will have to step in. I don't like the idea of going to corps to get certain favours or sponsorships or partnering. The corp can pick and choose those activities that are suitable and what makes it even more irritating is that the corp can then claim the activity as a tax deduction. arthur -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Gurstein Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 9:13 PM To: 'RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION' Subject: Re: [Futurework] Well, it's a nice thought... The problem with that world, Arthur as you well know is that corporations don't just do business they do politics, influence, create and manage social environments/realities and so on. So governments seem now mostly to be playing catch up with corporations and citizens are even further behind since their real opportunity to influence policy is receding at an accelerating pace... So any leverage the rest of us can get even through something as flawed as this is probably worthwhile. M o.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
