Complete A 1- To 2-Page Table Using The Positive Rights Tabl

Complete a 1- to 2-page table using the Positive Rights Table Template

Compare your opinion of the rights listed below to a corresponding ethical theory:

• The right to higher education
• The right to private phone conversations
• The right to health care
• The right of a presidential or gubernatorial candidate to receive time on television

Describe an ethical challenge that could impact a U.S. company that wants to acquire a non-U.S.-based company.

Paper For Above instruction

The task involves creating a concise, two-page table that compares specific rights with corresponding ethical theories, alongside an analysis of a potential ethical challenge faced by U.S. companies operating internationally. This comprehensive exercise synthesizes concepts of positive rights, ethical frameworks, and international business ethics, fostering critical thinking about moral principles and global corporate responsibilities.

Comparison of Rights and Ethical Theories

In establishing a framework for understanding rights within an ethical context, it is essential to examine how each right aligns with specific ethical theories, such as deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, or rights-based ethics. This comparison fosters an understanding of the moral foundations underpinning each right and their implications for both individuals and organizations.

1. The Right to Higher Education

From a rights-based perspective, the right to higher education can be viewed as an essential component of individual development and societal progress. Utilitarianism might support this right if access to education maximizes overall happiness and societal benefit. Deontologically, respecting this right aligns with respecting human dignity and autonomy (Sen, 1999). Virtue ethics emphasizes fostering intellectual virtues and the moral development of individuals (Aristotle, 350 BCE).

2. The Right to Private Phone Conversations

This right aligns with privacy rights rooted in individual autonomy and dignity. Ethical theories such as Kantian deontology uphold the importance of respecting persons as ends in themselves, requiring protection of private communications (Kant, 1785). Utilitarianism may support this right if privacy promotes overall well-being by fostering trust and personal freedom (Brownsword, 2020).

3. The Right to Healthcare

Healthcare as a positive right is widely supported in contemporary ethics; it ensures basic human needs are met. From a utilitarian standpoint, providing healthcare maximizes societal well-being by improving population health (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Rights-based theories, including social justice frameworks, advocate for equitable access and the moral obligation to provide healthcare (Rawls, 1971). Virtue ethics emphasizes compassion and beneficence as moral virtues essential in healthcare provision.

4. The Right of Candidates to Receive TV Time

This right relates to free speech and democratic participation. Kantian ethics supports this right as a matter of respecting free will and autonomy (Kant, 1785). Utilitarian views emphasize the importance of informed voting and societal stability arising from fair representation (Mill, 1863). Virtue ethics underscores honesty, fairness, and integrity as virtues essential for political discourse.

Ethical Challenge for U.S. Companies Acquiring Non-U.S. Firms

One significant ethical challenge involves navigating differing cultural norms and legal standards concerning labor practices, environmental standards, and corporate governance. For example, a U.S.-based company acquiring a firm in a country with lax environmental regulations may face ethical dilemmas about upholding corporate social responsibility (CSR) versus complying with local laws. This discrepancy could lead to reputational risk, stakeholder distrust, and accusations of cultural imperialism.

Balancing respect for local customs with the commitment to global ethical standards is complex. Companies must decide whether to adhere strictly to their home country's ethical norms or to adapt to local practices, which may be unethical or harmful (Crane et al., 2014). This challenge often arises in supply chain management, worker rights, environmental sustainability, and transparency. Ethical corporate behavior requires assessing the impact on local communities, stakeholders, and global reputation, emphasizing the importance of implementing robust CSR policies aligned with international human rights standards (Donaldson & Dunfee, 1999).

The ethical challenge is compounded by conflicting interests: economic gains versus social responsibility. The company’s decision-making must consider not only profitability but also the potential harm or benefit to the local communities affected by the acquisition. An ethically-conscious approach involves engaging with local stakeholders, conducting due diligence, and adopting international standards such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises or the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs, 2011).

Conclusion

In summary, comparing rights with ethical theories illuminates the moral foundations of individual rights, emphasizing their importance in personal dignity, societal well-being, and democratic participation. Simultaneously, confronted with the ethical challenges of cross-border acquisitions, corporations must navigate cultural differences, legal standards, and social responsibilities. Upholding ethical principles fosters sustainable and responsible global business practices, reinforcing the importance of integrating ethical reasoning into corporate decision-making processes.

References

• Aristotle. (350 BCE). Nicomachean Ethics.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Brownsword, R. (2020). Privacy and the Law. Oxford University Press.
• Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility: Foundations and Principles. Oxford University Press.
• Donaldson, T., & Dunfee, T. W. (1999). Ties that Bind: A Social Contract Approach to Business Ethics. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Considerations on Representative Government.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Alfred A. Knopf.
• United Nations Global Compact. (2011). Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. UN.