New at Reason

Julian Sanchez | July 5, 2005

Kerry Howley goes to the movies and brings back a meditation on the corporate social responsibility movement.

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|7.5.05 @ 3:54PM|#

I guess I'm not clear on the point, here. I would think there's a moral obligation not to treat people like crap, if you can help it. If Uncle Milt's pronouncement is to be taken literally, then the West Virginia coal-mining companies in the early part of this century were doing nothing wrong by establishing company towns, paying in scrip, and busting unions.
Supporting free markets does not mean that one must condone assholery.

|7.5.05 @ 4:31PM|#

Number_6,

I agree. There's "laissez-faire," and then there's "looking the other way." While I'm not a fan of most union tactics, I still think as a group they're better off existing than not, if for no other reason than to keep the plutocrats in check.

Sorry if that was un-libertarian of me to say.

|7.5.05 @ 5:14PM|#

Companies that end up with unionized employees typically bring it on themselves.

|7.5.05 @ 5:17PM|#

I don't think unions are un-libertarian per se, just legally-mandated "closed shops" which make union membership a condition of employment. That violates freedom of association.

|7.5.05 @ 5:18PM|#

SPD-I don't see it as un-libertarian at all. To me, libertarianism is predicted on the idea that individuals are worthy of respect and ought not be subject to unnecessary coercion or being shit upon. The fact is that when you have a company town situation (as seems to be the case in many of these overseas factories), you have a power imbalance. That imbalance is usually made worse by the intrusion of government (i.e., the National Guard being used as strike breakers). Unions, while they tend to get just as out of control as any organization, can provide a counterweight to the interests of management. Rand was wrong-the interests of employeers and good employees do not always coincide, and there is not always a reasonable chance to go elsewhere.
Of course, none of this would be an issue if some plutocrats didn't insist on acting like assholes. I have to wonder how some of these corporate types look in the mirror without wincing.

|7.5.05 @ 5:50PM|#

I don't think unions are un-libertarian per se, just legally-mandated "closed shops" which make union membership a condition of employment. That violates freedom of association.

I agree totally. That turns "collective bargaining" into a government-created monopoly -- a labor monopoly. I've never understood why so many people who oppose monopolies in general -- even to the point of misnaming a large portion of market share as a "monopoly" -- fail to even recognize a labor monopoly as such.

|7.5.05 @ 7:10PM|#

Companies that end up with unionized employees typically bring it on themselves.

I've always agreed; companies get the unions they deserve.

I work in a heavily unionized line of work. But a non-union job that started up a few years ago will never be organized. The union will blame the fact that it's in a right to work state and that the employees are brought in temporarily from around the country; but the reality is simply that we're treated really well, paid way more than the local average, and the work is extremely satisfying. There are some interested in organizing there, but very few (Until the boss tries to pull something unfair, at which time all bets are off).

Living in a right-to-work state was a very eye opening experience. When you actually have a choice, it's very liberating, and you realize what a raw deal you get from the union- all I want is collective bargaining and contract enforcement, but they make you sign up for a whole agenda, which includes giving them complete control over your professional life, including the right to fine you obscene amounts of money and ban you from union work. The amount of coercion is quite frightening, if you start to stray off the straight and narrow. All too often, the union that is supposed to be looking out for you ends up threatening and coercing you. It's disgusting to me, and I would have quit them again except I moved to a new state.

|7.6.05 @ 9:40AM|#

If I were an investor, I would invest in corporations that trumpet their CSR the loudest, regardless of price of their product, quality of their product, efficiency of their factories, corporate bottom line, etc. . .

I just see more and more consumers making their decision based on Corporate "social responsibility", rather than other factors, even though it clearly is just the latest marketing hype/fad to come from their PR machines. All computer chips being roughly equal (for example), the one with the most corporate "ethics" may very well become the market leader.

Though as a consumer, what I buy depends on many other things, of course.