Meeting needs and business obligations: An argument for the libertarian skeptic

✍ Scribed by Gillian Brock

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 765 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-4544
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00411804

✦ Synopsis

In this paper I argue that if we are to have any defensible property rights at all, we must recognize a fundamental commitment to helping those in need. The argument has significant implications for all who claim defensible property rights. In this paper I concentrate on some of the implications this argument has for redefining business obligations. In particular, I show why those who typically would be quite resistant to the idea that businesses have any obligations to assist others in need must acknowledge this fundamental obligation. I also suggest how this argument contributes to our understanding of the normative basis of Stakeholder Theory. W h y should businesses care about the basic needs of those in the community? 1 So, far instance, why should businesses get involved in community projects which attempt to help those in the community with their basic needs? Sure, building houses for the homeless, running soup kitchens and night shelters are surely nice things for businesses to do, but can they really be expected o f business? Is there any good argument w h y business should have to engage in these sorts o f activities or should have to contribute m o n e y towards these activities being carried out by others?