Why American Political Culture Interferes with Developing More Democratic Corporate Governance

• In Event: 261 - Section on Political Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 12. Issues in Governance

Abstract

The disinterest of America’s two main political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, for practicing populist politics is discussed as an explanation why both parties have shown little interest in supporting more democratic corporate governance. The history of these two political parties is followed by discussion of the economic theories that are used to justify lack of interest in pursuing a more populist politics. Discussion of the traditional paternalism of European governments is used as a partial explanation for greater formal protections for workers in Western Europe than in America. America’s ability as a frontier society to offer some protections for workers is showing less effectiveness with the ending of the social and economic frontier. The effects of globalization as it relates to both Europe and America is discussed by reference to recent writing by a European expert on labor law, and its moral credibility, Prof. Alain Supiot.

Author

• Jerome Braun