Category Archives: Corporate Political Activity

To Bomb or Not to Bomb—Which Rationality? Whose Debate?

The TakeAway: The swirl of action surrounding whether or not to intervene militarily in Syria tends to overlook opportunities, beyond polling, for average people to weigh in. That’s bad for deliberative democracy—especially when military power is involved. As a “prismatic … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Political Activity, Ethics and Values, Human Rights, Politics, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on To Bomb or Not to Bomb—Which Rationality? Whose Debate?

Gift Xchange: Giving, Investing, and Grantmaking for Good

Part One of Two The TakeAway: Charitable requests are a constant, but the end of the year brings a blizzard of appeals. In addition to our donor dollars, there’s a vast amount of untapped money power held by nonprofit institutions, … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Sustainability, Ethics and Values, Human Rights, Public Policy, Sustainable Investing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gift Xchange: Giving, Investing, and Grantmaking for Good

Ready For Their Close-Up: Corporate Secretaries and “The Shape of Things to Come”

Part One of Three The TakeAway: The recent annual conference of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals focused on “The Shape of Things to Come”—that is, key issues and trends affecting corporate accountability and sustainable prosperity. In so … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Ethics and Values, Interactive Technology, Politics, Proxy Voting, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Diamonds and Rust: The Need for Ethical Climate Change in Banking

The takeaway: The British  scandal over interest-rate rigging underscores the need for ethical climate change in banking. In addition to regulatory and policy changes, doing this involves the combined efforts of CEOs, boards of directors, investors, depositors, and other stakeholders … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Diamonds and Rust: The Need for Ethical Climate Change in Banking

A Valentine’s Bouquet: Twelve for 2012

The TakeAway: The blooms of sustainable prosperity and justice are fed by at least twelve currents that will get stronger throughout 2012. They involve the maturation of corporate social responsibility and corporate governance; rethinking the meaning of “fiduciary”; balancing internationalism … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Investor Governance, Natural Disasters, Proxy Voting, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Investing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Proxy Resolutions, Shareholder Engagement, and Buggy Whips

Part One of Two Parts The TakeAway: Proxy resolutions continue to influence corporate behavior on social policy and corporate governance, but proponents need to explore additional forms of engagement, including social media and other digital means. It’s the day after … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Politics, Proxy Voting, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Corporate Oligarchs, Politics, and the Common Good

The TakeAway: Among other events, this week’s anniversaries of JFK’s inaugural speech and Citizens United call us to fight to elevate conscience over politics and capitalism. This week juxtaposed statesman service and corporate dominion at a time when oligarchs increasingly … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Politics, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dead Hands and Invisible Hands

The TakeAway: The 112th Congress, mindful of the values that underlie the whole Constitution, needs to face up to its responsibility to make policies that advance the common good and a sustainable future. This morning, for the first time ever … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Public Policy, Wage Gap | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dead Hands and Invisible Hands

Controversial Compromise on Net Neutrality

The TakeAway: The FCC’s decision on “net neutrality” creates a double set of rules applying to fixed broadband and mobile broadband—with the public interest standard in question. The near decade-long struggle over “net neutrality” revolves around money, power, and access … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Interactive Technology, Media & Entertainment, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Extractives: Dirty Industries, Clean Standards

The TakeAway: New SEC proposals require ethical health, safety, and human rights due diligence by companies engaged in the extractive industries. Extractive industries are by definition a dirty business, but recent legislation and regulatory moves aim to clean them up … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Public Policy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Price Democracy?

The TakeAway: Big money bought many midterm elections, but a new Conference Board publication provides guidance on responsible corporate political spending. In a preview of what’s in store for 2012, political campaigners – including candidates, parties, and outside interest groups … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

People Power

The TakeAway: The outcome of Tuesday’s elections will influence public policy on sustainability and financial reform, but individuals can still make a difference. Tomorrow’s elections are expected to yield gains for the Republicans in Congress, which could affect not only … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Sustainability, Proxy Voting, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sustainability News Roundup

The TakeAway: BP’s transparency, the power of proxy advisory firms, and uncontrolled campaign spending BP disaster: truth or “integrated spin”?  | Today’s New York Times and Wall Street Journal report that Halliburton knowingly supplied “unstable” cement to BP to seal … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Investor Governance, Proxy Voting, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sustainability News Roundup

The TakeAway: Sustainable finance, ForeclosureGate, and new leadership for Society of Corporate Secretaries offer challenges and hope. Ceres report on water shortage | The impact of water problems on the municipal bond market may seem boring, but tell that to … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Proxy Voting, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sustainability News Roundup

The TakeAway: This week’s notable news features items on advances in integrated reporting, clean energy, sustainable investing, and women in business Despite the Monday holiday here in the US, it’s been another busy week on the sustainability front.  Among the … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Sustainable Investing | 2 Comments

Follow the (Corporate Campaign) Money

The TakeAway: Shareholder activists and researchers focus on corporate political donations, while more than 80 percent of S&P 500 companies fail to provide spending information “Follow the money” was a catchphrase of the 1976 movie All the President’s Men, the … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Media & Entertainment, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments