Itong, Cindrey Mhae T.

The Contemporary World T-Th 3:00-4:30pm

The Corporation by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott

The film shows a critical stance on corporations, it serves as a catalyst insight about the roles of
corporations in our society. It is an intriguing and inspiring documentation that shows the
nature and effects of corporation on our society. It shows a different view of perspectives from
different leaders and scholars forming their own opinions and thoughts about the complicated
issues around our corporate powers. This film shows how interests in corporation seemingly
conflicts with our well-beings and our environment. It also gives us more insights about its
concepts that shows that corporations may generate negative effects on the environment
unintentionally. One of the film's core topics is the concept of "corporate personhood," in which
businesses are considered as legal entities with rights equivalent to individuals. The film calls
into question the ramifications of conferring such status to entities motivated only by profit. The
documentation "The Corporation" by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott investigates the conflict
between a company's primary purpose of increasing profits for its shareholders and its social
duty. It raises the question of whether corporations can actually behave in the best interests of
society while emphasizing financial profits. The film examines the environmental repercussions
of corporate actions. It covers cases in which businesses exploited natural resources without
regard for the long-term environmental impact, contributing to problems such as pollution and
climate change.

Another comment is on corporations' worldwide reach and the possibility for labor abuse in
emerging countries. The video focuses on incidents in which multinational firms have been
accused of exploiting cheap labor and violating human rights in the quest of profit. "The
Corporation" discusses companies' political influence, implying that their financial strength
allows them to control government policies and regulations to their advantage. This raises
questions about the impact on democracy and governments' ability to regulate corporate
behavior. The film employs the concept of psychopathy as a metaphor for business behavior.
Drawing on psychopathy diagnostic criteria, it portrays companies as entities devoid of empathy
and simply concerned with self-interest and profit. Throughout the documentary, there is a plea
for more corporate accountability. The video contends that legal and regulatory frameworks
should be in place to hold businesses accountable for their acts, particularly when those actions
harm communities, workers, or the environment. The film features a wide range of interviews,
including CEOs, activists, scholars, and former business insiders. This incorporation of other
perspectives enriches the investigation of the corporate world, providing a complete look at
different attitudes regarding organizations.

The documentary addresses ethical concerns about individuals working for corporations. It
investigates the conflict between personal moral ideals and corporate objectives, highlighting
the difficulties that employees may have while attempting to match their individual ethics with
company goals.
The film discusses the power of corporate branding and its influence on customer behavior. It
explains how organizations frequently invest extensively in projecting a positive image, which
can diverge from their actual operations. This encourages viewers to reflect. "The Corporation"
also looks at how the media influences public opinion and holds corporations accountable. It
calls into doubt the ability of media outlets, many of which are controlled by larger corporations,
to report honestly on corporate operations and their societal consequences.

The film briefly looks at various business strategies that prioritize social and environmental
sustainability. It raises the question of whether there are feasible alternatives to the typical
profit-centric business structure, as well as if such models can be scaled successfully.

The film's subliminal theme emphasizes the significance of public awareness and education. By
disclosing the inner workings of companies, the documentary urges viewers to become more
informed consumers and citizens capable of making decisions that are consistent with their
beliefs. The documentary indicates that legal reforms are required to solve the challenges
surrounding corporate behavior. This includes discussions about business regulations,
environmental laws, and consumer protection. It asks viewers to evaluate how legislation
influences business behavior.

"The Corporation" encourages viewers to ponder the long-term effects of unfettered corporate
influence on society and the environment. It calls into question the sustainability of economic
systems based on profit-driven objectives, as well as environmental measures. Therefor the film
The Corporation deals and shows many aspects, roles, and effects to our environment and not
just to the environment but also to our own well-being. The film examines corporations' roles in
the globalization process, including how they operate across borders and effect economies
around the world. It raises questions about the power dynamic between companies and states.
Using the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy, the video contends that if companies were
considered individuals, they would exhibit psychopathic characteristics. It investigates how
corporations, driven by the pursuit of profit, frequently put their own interests over the well-
being of people and the environment. The documentary is frequently utilized as a teaching tool
in schools and debates on business ethics, corporate governance, and social responsibility. It
urges viewers to think critically about corporations' social impact and to seek alternative
business strategies. "The Corporation" ends with a plea for change, encouraging viewers to
question and oppose the current corporate worldview. It sparked activism and measures to
promote corporate social responsibility and sustainability. "The Corporation" has had a
considerable impact on public understanding and debate about the role of companies in the
modern world. One of the documentary's strengths is its use of a varied variety of viewpoints,
including interviews with CEOs, activists, scholars, and critics. This method gives viewers a well-
rounded understanding of the complicated concerns underlying corporate power. The film dives
into the history of corporations, showing how they evolved from entities with narrow and
limited charters to the strong and influential entities they are today. Understanding the historical
context allows viewers to better understand how organizations change over time.