The Corporation

A Documentary by Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan

Please answer all the questions, in your own words, and bring printed to class.

1. What values are ethical behaviour based on?

2. What question should ethical people ask themselves?

3. Generate a list of ethical issues raised by the film.

4. Pick one ethical issue and describe it fully.

5. Describe what arguments a corporation might use when they discuss this ethical issue.

6. Describe the arguments that oppose the corporate position you described in the prior
question.

7. Describe your personal feelings about this issue. Be specific and explain why you feel this
way.

8. In what context can this film have the maximum impact?

a. Does the film have a polarizing effect?

b. Can it affect legislation and government regulations of business? How?

9. In a website poll, a majority of people suggest that the film convinces them that corporate
charters need to be revoked and the system rebuilt. Is this plausible?

a. Can individuals within an organization overcome its inherent flaws?

b. Do you envision a return to earlier forms of business ownership and

management, or something entirely new?

10. Can capitalism and democracy co-exist?

a. How has the internet reshaped our democracy? How can it?

b. How can corporations be obliged to have a stake in the sharing of their

power, and in the social quality of their services?