"Foreword by Michael S. Baram" [2005] ELECD 193; in Tully, Stephen (ed), "Research Handbook on Corporate Legal Responsibility" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005)

Book Title: Research Handbook on Corporate Legal Responsibility

Editor(s): Tully, Stephen

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843768203

Section Title: Foreword by Michael S. Baram

Number of pages: 2

Extract:

Foreword
Michael S. Baram



Corporate activity and influence have grown to unprecedented levels within
nations and across borders, with many consequences for human wellbeing.
Among the consequences are harms to health, safety and the environment
which were foreseeable and avoidable. In addition, campaigns to advance
human rights and ensure sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of
future generations are frustrated by corporate indifference. Yet another form
of harm has reached great proportions in recent years: breach of public trust as
evidenced by revelations of corporate corruption, bribery, misuse of public
funds, and other criminal practices undertaken with disregard for law and ethi-
cal principles.
As a result, there is widespread concern and expression of outrage about
corporate culture and behaviour, which in turn causes many to question the
adequacy of our laws and other means of social control over corporate enter-
prise. And ultimately, questions are raised about the moral sense of our soci-
ety, which shapes our laws and their means of implementation.
These harms and concerns motivate this book, a remarkable collection of
informed perspectives on corporate legal responsibility, expert analyses of
what the law is, and thoughtful arguments on what the law ought to be. Unlike
traditional treatments which dwell on corporate responsibility to those who
have a direct financial stake in its business activities as shareholders, the focus
herein is on corporate responsibility for preventing harm to workers,
consumers, the public and the environment, for enhancing human rights, for
accomplishing sustainable development, and for ...