History Lesson: The Corporation, Part 1 of 3
The public corporation is under attack in America today. The regulatory burden is ever increasing: boards and CEOs are constantly harassed over wide-ranging issues from CEO pay to options "backdating," and the media continues to portray corporate America as a cesspool of corruption. The expenses and risks of being a public corporation are now so great that an unprecedented number of companies are choosing to "go private."
In this course, Dr. Brook discusses the history and economics behind the rise of the modern corporation, explaining how this form of business organization made possible new heights of wealth creation. He explains why the corporation, despite its productive virtues, has been attacked as illegitimate and immoral since its inception. Finally, he discusses the popular paradigm of "corporate social responsibility" and contrasts it with the proper corporate goal of shareholder wealth maximization.
This course was recorded at the
2007 Objectivist Summer Conference in Telluride, CO.
Service:
Spreaker
Publshed on:
Jul 06, 2007
Duration:
01:26:34
Channels
Objectivist Conference Presentations
The attacks on "Big Business" - the main talking points: CEO pay, the "Imperial" CEO, corporate democracy.
stakeholders
00:00
to
05:45
5.8 minutes
The current regulatory environment - Sarbanes Oxley (SOX). The subjectivity of interpreting regulation.
05:46
to
07:19
1.6 minutes
The universality of the attacks on corporations. Ralph Nader as a primary figure, who introduced the idea of corporate democracy.
07:20
to
09:43
2.4 minutes
- Corporate Power in America (1973) by Ralph Nader
- Taming the Giant Corporation (1976) by Ralph Nader
- The Consumer and Corporate Accountability (1973) edited by Ralph Nader
09:44
to
17:29
7.8 minutes
Background on the phenomenal productivity and gradual destruction of the corporation
17:30
to
20:49
3.3 minutes
Q: How does the US stock market compare to other countries? DOW vs Nikkei
economics
20:50
to
23:09
2.3 minutes
Q: What factors account for American market success? Is it an apples-to-apples comparison?
23:10
to
24:53
1.7 minutes
24:54
to
25:54
1.0 minutes
Defining corporations - what makes them unique as compared to self-proprietorships and partnerships? Limited liability.
25:54
to
33:37
7.7 minutes
Q: Isn't it the case that even in an LLC or Inc. someone can be required to assume personal liability?
33:38
to
35:00
1.4 minutes
Q: Limited liability decreases shareholder risk, but doesn't it increase lender risk?
35:00
to
37:11
2.2 minutes
Limited liability and torts
37:12
to
41:52
4.7 minutes
Q: Is control the key issue in limited liability vs. means? How is shareholders providing cash different from someone who supplied the gun in a crime.
41:53
to
44:29
2.6 minutes
Q: Is there a significant difference between corporations and other forms in terms of taxation?
43:44
to
44:40
56 seconds
Q: differentiation between criminal and limited liability for a corporation?
44:41
to
44:59
18 seconds
Corporations as separate legal entities - the "fictitious person" concept
45:00
to
48:38
3.6 minutes
The rights of corporations - do corporations get special rights, or lose rights?
rights
48:38
to
50:38
2.0 minutes
50:39
to
51:43
1.1 minutes
Ownership and control of corporations - is it reasonable that shareholders/owners are separated from control of the corporation?
corporate governance
51:44
to
54:22
2.6 minutes
How did we get here - why are there so many corporations? Why are some so large?
54:23
to
55:54
1.5 minutes
Q: What about public vs. private corporations?
55:55
to
58:54
3.0 minutes
58:55
to
01:01:42
2.8 minutes
Q: How does bankruptcy work and is it legitimate? Chapter 11 reorganization.
01:01:51
to
01:06:11
4.3 minutes
The history of corporations and the idea of orporations as government creations: 16th century Britain and early 19th century USA
social responsibility
01:06:13
to
01:13:39
7.4 minutes
A new chapter: in 1836 the corporate form begins to change
01:13:40
to
01:16:25
2.8 minutes
Q: What started the changes in corporate legal structure in the US in 1836?
01:16:26
to
01:21:39
5.2 minutes
A summary of the attacks against corporations, and the answers to those charges
01:21:40
to
01:23:09
1.5 minutes
Q: What is the government’s proper role in creating the legal structure of corporations? Should the government stay out of it entirely?
01:23:10
to
01:25:48
2.6 minutes
Q: Do companies have the right to create their own legal structure?
01:25:49
to
01:26:35
46 seconds