RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Darrell M. West, December 14, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Darrell West examines the history of corporations in the United States, including special privileges they were given as incentive for accomplishing public purposes. West discusses whether the focus has shifted too much toward maximizing short-term shareholder profits, something a new project at Brookings on the purpose of the corporation will analyze. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC
Since the inception of the corporation, policymakers have debated to what degree corporations should be held to a standard of social responsibility. This issue is particularly relevant given the fragile state of the American economy and public concerns regarding economic opportunity. On December 13, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted the first in a series of lectures examining the corporation in American society, how we think about corporate obligations and responsibilities, and how companies affect society, commerce and government. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Watkins, November 2011, The Bellagio Initiative
While progress toward international development goals in areas such as poverty reduction, nutrition, child survival and maternal health has fallen short of targets set for 2015, Kevin Watkins argues that without progress on universal education, attempting to address wider challenges facing governments around the world will be in vain. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Raj M. Desai and Anders Olofsgård, October 06, 2011, Quarterly Journal of Political Science
Raj Desai and Anders Olofsgård examine the influence of business-government relationships on businesses, arguing that while political influence may improve the environment for selected firms, these firms relinquish a portion of their control rights, impacting payroll and product line decisions.
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Robert C. Pozen, September 27, 2011, Washington Post
Robert Pozen evaluates the recent proposal to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 in return for eliminating tax credits and deductions available to U.S. corporations. Pozen argues that this in fact would not be revenue-neutral and would have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin W. van Fleet, September 21, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Former British Prime Minister Gordon has challenged corporate leaders to join the governments of developing countries to promote access to education for all youth. Justin van Fleet echoes Brown's call and explains why corporate engagement on the issue should be important to the global business community. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Robert C. Pozen, September 19, 2011, New York Times
Robert Pozen proposes a three-part repatriation tax framework on companies' foreign profits, arguing that such a framework would be favorable over a tax holiday and would raise government revenues while still allowing for private sector economic growth. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Eduardo Levy-Yeyati, September 16, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Eduardo Levy-Yeyati argues that any solution to the European crisis that focuses solely on debt restructuring is insufficient if it is not complemented with a plan to recover price competiveness. Instead, Levy-Yeyati points to Argentina's swift economic recovery in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which is often attributed to the competitiveness of a depreciated exchange rate. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin W. van Fleet, September 2011, The Brookings Institution
Justin van Fleet argues that corporations must come together under the united banner of a Global Business Coalition for Education to address the global learning crisis in the developing countries. Van Fleet says that creating a united coalition would strengthen the business community's engagement in education and force result-oriented changes.
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Darrell M. West, July 19, 2011, The Brookings Institution
As business and society move toward emphasizing profit maximization and individual self-interest, Darrell West writes that a sense of the corporation as a creature of the state, created and endowed with special powers and privileges, has been lost. West examines law and business school curricula, finding that many do not require stand-alone courses that provide a broad view on the purpose of the corporation in society.
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Justin W. van Fleet, July 12, 2011, The Brookings Institution
At a high-level side event with business leaders and government officials held at this year's United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Annual Ministerial Review, Justin van Fleet discussed the challenges and opportunities for corporate engagement in education, and argued that better collaboration between sectors could have an enormous impact. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Robert Puentes and Adie Tomer, June 24, 2011, The Avenue, The New Republic
Adie Tomer and Robert Puentes discuss Apple's proposed new campus, stating that while the design is impressive, even more important is the new location. Tomer and Puentes argue that Apple's choice to remain close to the old campus will give them a competitive edge in hiring, as the location allows employees to enjoy the urban lifestyle and car-free commute many are looking for. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth G. Lieberthal, May 06, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Multinational corporations look to China with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. Because U.S.-China business plays such an important role in our overall relationship, the 2011 US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue is again highlighting major American concerns about access to the China market. Kenneth Lieberthal, in his latest book Managing the China Challenge, examines the evolving business opportunities, China's political economy, and the implications for multinational corporate strategy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin W. van Fleet and Rebecca Winthrop, March 31, 2011, The Brookings Institution
In a recent study conducted by the Center for Universal Education, findings show American corporations contribute nearly half a billion dollars for education in developing countries every year. Their financial contributions are hugely significant, making them collectively the seventh largest donor in the world. Justin van Fleet and Rebecca Winthrop explore how corporate philanthropy is enhancing global education. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin W. van Fleet, March 31, 2011, The Brookings Institution
1.3 billion young people in the world between the ages of 12-24 live in developing countries and suffer from a lack of education. Justin van Fleet conducted in-depth interviews with corporate philanthropy leaders, and surveyed nearly 150 U.S. companies, to uncover how much Corporate America contributes to education worldwide each year, and how these contributions can increase shared value for the company and society. Read More