Leaders | Companies and democracy
Business and politics are growing closer in America, with worrying consequences
WHEN AMERICANS notice business and politics mingling in other countries they often see it as a sign of institutional decay, crony capitalism or authoritarianism. Today the mixing of government and corporations is happening in America. Sometimes that is in pursuit of honourable causes, as in the protest of CEOs over new laws restricting voting in Georgia and other states. Sometimes it is visible in the statesman-CEO: the latest manifesto from Jamie Dimon, boss of JPMorgan Chase, pronounces on military procurement and criminal justice among many other weighty concerns. Most broadly of all, it is reflected in how the Business Roundtable, a lobbying group, has extended the corporate remit to include serving all stakeholders, for the success of their firms, communities and country.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The political CEO”
From the April 17th 2021 edition
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