Apparently “Supercapitalism” is making the rounds over at AlterNet, because they keep writing about it. This time there’s a good interview with the author, former labor secretary Robert Reich, and he takes the opportunity to summarize his main arguments from the book.

One is that not only should we not be giving corporations the special rights that humans are given, but we also shouldn’t expect them to behave morally.

It’s kind of an anthropomorphic fallacy, and it’s very dangerous. Corporate social responsibility is a nice idea, but corporations will not be socially responsible, if by socially responsible we are suggesting that they sacrifice consumer deals and investor returns. They won’t.

He also talks about why he calls the period from 1945 to 1975 the “not quite golden age,” and offers some general ideas on how to begin repairing the democratic process in the U.S.

“Consumer-Driven Culture Is Killing Our Democracy” [AlterNet]

RELATED
“Do We Need “Separation Of Store And State”?”
“Has “Super-Capitalism” Outmoded Democracy?”

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.