Discussion: Which Do You Believe Presents The Greatest Threa

Discussion1 Which Do You Believe Presents The Greatest Threat To Civi

Which do you believe presents the greatest threat to civil society: a corporation that commits crimes (e.g., murder, environmental crimes, or bribery), or persons who commit crimes that harm businesses (e.g., embezzlement, fraud, or larceny)? Defend your response, using at least one example from current events.

Paper For Above instruction

In the ongoing debate about threats to civil society, both corporate crimes and individual crimes pose significant challenges, yet they differ markedly in their scope, impact, and societal perception. Assessing which presents the greatest threat requires examining the nature and consequences of these crimes, supported by current examples and scholarly insights.

Corporations wield considerable influence over economic and social systems. When they engage in criminal activities such as environmental pollution, corruption, or even murder, the repercussions can be profound and far-reaching. For instance, the Volkswagen emissions scandal (2015) exemplifies how corporate misconduct can distort market trust and cause environmental harm (Hotten, 2015). The company manipulated emissions tests to meet regulatory standards artificially, which not only cheated consumers and regulators but also contributed to environmental degradation. Such corporate crimes undermine the rule of law and erode societal trust in the institutions designed to protect the collective interest.

Alternatively, crimes committed by individuals, such as embezzlement or fraud, directly injure specific entities or persons but tend to have less systemic impact unless they involve large-scale operations. For example, the case of Bernie Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme resulted in significant personal financial losses for thousands of investors (Securities and Exchange Commission, 2009). While devastating for victims, these crimes typically do not threaten the structural stability of societal institutions.

However, the threat posed by corporate crimes arguably surpasses that of individual offenders due to their scale, complexity, and capacity to influence policy and regulation. Corporate crimes often involve breaches of regulations and ethical standards that, if left unchecked, could facilitate ongoing misconduct. Furthermore, corporations with substantial economic power may seek to influence legislation or regulatory agencies to serve their interests—a phenomenon known as regulatory capture (Stigler, 1971). This can diminish the efficacy of legal frameworks and compromise societal standards of fairness and safety.

Current events reinforce this perspective. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 illustrates how corporate negligence in the oil industry can cause extensive environmental harm, economic disruption, and loss of human life (U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, 2011). BP’s role in the disaster underscores the destructive potential of corporate misconduct, especially when combined with regulatory failures.

On the other hand, crimes harming businesses, such as embezzlement or fraud, while damaging and often criminally prosecuted, generally lack the systemic influence of large-scale corporate violations. These crimes tend to be isolated incidents that, although financially and reputationally damaging, do not threaten the broader societal framework directly.

In conclusion, although both types of crimes are detrimental, corporate crimes represent a more significant threat to civil society due to their scale, potential to undermine legal and regulatory systems, and capacity to inflict widespread harm. Current examples, such as the Volkswagen scandal and the Deepwater Horizon spill, exemplify how corporate misconduct can jeopardize societal well-being far beyond individual financial losses, emphasizing the necessity for stringent regulation and enforcement to mitigate these risks.

References

• Hotten, R. (2015). Volkswagen: The scandal explained. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772
• Securities and Exchange Commission. (2009). SEC Charges Madoff with Securities Fraud. https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-293.htm
• Stigler, G. J. (1971). The theory of economic regulation. The Bell Journal of Economics and Management Science, 2(1), 3-21.
• U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. (2011). Deepwater Horizon Blowout. https://www.csb.gov/deepwater-horizon/