In the wake of Georgia’s new voter laws, we have witnessed a number of corporations make public statements with boycotts and relocations of events. Politicians have all weighed in, most notably Mitch McConnell and Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, who while responding to questions from a news correspondent, said the following:
“There was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Georgia’s top Republican election officials have acknowledged that repeatedly in interviews. What there was, however, was record-setting turnout, especially by voters of color. So instead, what we’re seeing here, for politicians who didn’t like the outcome, they’re not changing their policies to win more votes; they’re changing the rules to exclude more voters. And we certainly see the circumstances as different.”[1]
Mitch McConnell voiced his own frustration, stating, “So my warning, if you will, to corporate America is to stay out of politics. It’s not what you’re designed for. And don’t be intimidated by the left into taking up causes that put you right in the middle of one of America’s greatest political debates.”[2]
Today, it is not religion or government, but private corporations that bear the responsibility for the common good.
To be fair to McConnell, he has since stepped back his comments; nevertheless, all of it has brought an important issue to the forefront: “Who is responsible for the Common Good?” That is, who should take the lead, call into question, and even demand change?
In an ideal world, we all share a responsibility; however, in reality, the answer lies with those who have the most power – which differs depending on where you live.
Rather than allow it to remain vague, I believe it is helpful, and even necessary, to know where to look. It isn’t enough to need a leader, that leader has to accept the responsibility and let it be known they are willing to stand out in front.
In the United States, that leader is the private corporation; and should we be willing to recognize it, they actually do set themselves apart as the entities with the most power (though not all have realized their full potential for caring for the common good.)
Centuries ago, this responsibility for the common good was held by churches and religion, which was symbolized by the physical structures that towered over the people below. Some centuries later, it was government buildings that were the largest and most grandiose, signifying that they had the power to care for the common good. Today (again, not in all countries), it is the private corporations who reside is massive skyscrapers that set themselves apart as the most powerful and influential. In a given city, you can even see the industry with the most influence as they will occupy the largest and greatest concentration of buildings. In Houston, it is oil and gas along with medical; in Detroit, it is automotive; New York – Finance; Vegas – Casinos; and so on. . .
For better and worse, our corporations have the power to care for others – our very skylines symbolize their ability to rise above the rest. It is high time that they use that power to care for those who need caring, and speak for those who otherwise have no voice.
To be sure, corporations are flawed leaders, but no more flawed than religion or government has been when they leveraged a similar power. Just as they did, so can corporations champion the common good even while they themselves require just as much scrutiny. This is why, in the United States, the non-profit sector is so important, because they work in tandem with for profit organizations and individuals to guide their actions and champion causes on their behalf. When working at their best, non-profits are a collaborative arm with our corporations stepping into the fray when government and religion cannot.
[1] https://thehill.com/homenews/media/546802-jen-psaki-refutes-fox-news-reporter-on-claim-colorado-and-georgias-voting-laws
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-warns-corporate-america-stay-out-politics-says-donations-are-n1263173