The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

The Corporation examines the modern corporation as an institution and its role in society, chronicling its evolution from a rarely-used business structure to the dominant form of commercial enterprise. Through interviews with executives, experts, and critics, Joel Bakan investigates how corporations became powerful entities with rights similar to human beings. The book combines legal analysis, historical research, and case studies to demonstrate the corporation's impact on public life and the global economy. Bakan presents evidence from corporate scandals, environmental disasters, and labor issues to build his central argument about corporate behavior and responsibility. The narrative moves between boardrooms, courtrooms, and communities affected by corporate decisions, documenting the tensions between profit demands and social consequences. The investigation draws from fields including economics, psychology, and environmental science to create a comprehensive picture of corporate influence. At its core, the book raises fundamental questions about the relationship between business and democracy, and whether the current corporate structure serves the public good. The analysis challenges readers to consider alternative approaches to organizing economic activity in modern society.

Readers describe the book as a clear analysis of corporate power, backed by historical examples and legal research. Many note it serves as a companion to the documentary film of the same name. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanation of corporate legal structures - Documentation of corporate misbehavior cases - Accessible writing style for complex legal concepts - Real-world examples of corporate decision-making Common criticisms: - Solutions section seen as too brief and weak - Some repetition of points - Occasionally sensationalist tone - Limited coverage of positive corporate actions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Explains corporate behavior without conspiracy theories" - Goodreads reviewer "Good research but needed more balanced perspective" - Amazon reviewer "Changed how I view business structures" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on problems, weak on solutions" - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 The book's central thesis compares modern corporations to psychopaths, arguing they exhibit similar traits like inability to feel guilt, disregard for others' safety, and inability to maintain long-term relationships. 🔸 Joel Bakan's book was adapted into an award-winning documentary film in 2003, featuring interviews with notable figures including Noam Chomsky, Milton Friedman, and Howard Zinn. 🔸 The modern corporation's structure can be traced to a landmark 1886 U.S. Supreme Court case (Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad), which established corporations as "persons" under the law. 🔸 The author, Joel Bakan, is both a law professor at the University of British Columbia and a former Rhodes Scholar who clerked at Canada's Supreme Court. 🔸 The book reveals that in the early 20th century, corporations were only allowed to own stock in other companies in New Jersey - a limitation that changed dramatically and shaped modern corporate conglomerates.