------------------------------------------------------------------ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 11:58 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: question Has anyone, to your knowledge, attempted to systematically study this externalization of costs? Has anyone written more extensively on this specific aspect of business practice (as *conscious* practice, if that is what it is)? THANKS!
------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Bruce Leier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: question Date: Sun, 14 Apr 2002 11:34:39 -0500 Allen, Not being an academic, I don't keep track of sources often. But I just finished a book Corporate Irresponsibility America's Newest Export by Lawrence E. Mitchell. Yale University Press is the publisher. Mitchell is a lawyer and the book is mostly from the perspective of the law and corporate governance. However, he has a short chapter called "The Perfect Externalizing Machine". Just one quote for the flavor: From Coke to Unocal to General Motors, from Union Carbide's Bhopal disaster to the Exxon Valdez oil spill that almost destroyed the magnificent and pristine Prince William Sound, from Bristol-Myer's Dalkon shield to Johns Manvelle's asbestos and Nike's treatment of its overseas workers, corporations more often than not use their special structure and privileges to increase profits by placing their costs of doing business on those who are vulnerable to corporate power. And why do we have limited liability for corporations? And why does the nuclear energy industry (and their insurers) get a law that limits that's says a nuclear disaster like "3-mile Island" only has to pay so much $? Like who pays for the effect of car pollution? I'm too tired to go on. He does have some references in the book. Excellent book, by the way. Brought back some memories of law school - I'm a drop-out. Since you posted this privately, I'll let you post it to the FW listserv. I encourage you to do so. Bruce Leier _____________________________________________________________________
