"What does it mean to say that the corporate executive has a “social responsibility” in his capacity as businessman? If this statement is not pure rhetoric, it must mean that he is to act in some way that is not in the interest of his employers. For example, that he is to refrain from increasing the price of the product in order to contribute to the social objective of preventing inflation, even though a price increase would be in the best interests of the corporation. Or that he is to make expenditures on reducing pollution beyond the amount that is in the best interests of the corporation or that is required by law in order to contribute to the social objective of improving the environment. Or that, at the expense of corporate profits, he is to hire “hard core” unemployed instead of better qualified available workmen to contribute to the social objective of reducing poverty. In each of these cases, the corporate executive would be spending someone else's money for a general social interest."
React to this quote
More by Milton Friedman
See allResonant Thoughts
"Those not able to work were marched to the farmhouses. These were a good kilometer from the side track. There they were made to undress. At first they had to undress in the open, where we had erected …"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"Usually this desire has been laid to economic pressure... It has asserted itself among the rich and among t…"
— Margaret Sanger"This miracle of me is mine to own and keep, and mine to guard, and mine to use, and mine to kneel before...…"
— Ayn Rand"Like ice beneath the sun's rays — to such poverty did he fall...his fortune melted to water."
— Ihara Saikaku"To one who asked what was the proper time for lunch, he said, "If a rich man, when you will; if a poor man,…"
— Diogenes of Sinope"The "dreams of youth" have become a proverb. That organisations, early rich, fall far short of their promis…"
— Florence Nightingale"Up on Housing Project Hill, it's either fortune or fame. You must pick one or the other, though neither of …"
— Bob Dylan
Related Thinkers
Related Topics
Deep Dives
- David Cay Johnston on money
- Rudiger Dornbusch on money
- David Cay Johnston on politics
- David Cay Johnston on time
- David Cay Johnston on justice
- David Cay Johnston on life
- David Cay Johnston on knowledge
- David Cay Johnston on art
- David Cay Johnston on philosophy
- David Cay Johnston on books
- knowledge & Beauty
- knowledge & Change
