A better world is possible - Global Commons Institute

Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only.
www.brucenixon.com
Patriarchy and false values underlie the unsustainable system. Such values are based on a definition of what
it is to be success, to be a leader and what is cool. The prevailing values of top leaders tend to favour heroic,
top down leadership and decisiveness; put money and power before human needs. Ends justify means and
there is an inclination towards violence, in word or deed. They “do what is right”, regardless of the views of
others. It is the conviction that one knows best; one cannot trust others and, therefore, one has to take
charge. Such beliefs may be denied but are never hidden from perceptive people. Patriarchal leadership is
dysfunctional because it undervalues others and encourages them to undervalue themselves. It leads to
flawed strategies because they are not inclusive. Patriarchy is far from exclusive to the male gender.
“Patriarchy” describes this mindset. Feminine energy is more about nurturing life, caring, relationships and
consensual ways of resolving problems.
Corporations are not moral beings, like humans. Corporations are there to maximise short-term profit and
for the benefit of shareholders, not to be responsible global citizens. The duty is to shareholders not
stakeholders. CEOs of quoted companies cannot put social responsibility first. That would often mean
“suicide”. What they can do is limited - hence, the proliferation of CSR and the denial and “green washing” of
the past half century. For example Africa is a tiny 1.3 % of the world market for drugs. 80% of the drugs
market is in the rich countries where 20%of the world’s population live. Making cheap drugs to combat sub-
Saharan epidemics, as compared to drugs for western household pets, is a low priority. Of 1,400 new drugs
developed between 1975 and 2000, only 13 were for tropical diseases and 3 for tuberculosis. This is
pragmatic - in the short-term. When Anita Roddick floated her company on the stock market, she learnt this
lesson.
Externalising costs is a key principle. Corporations succeed by externalising costs, getting the public, the
taxpayer, government, society and the environment to bear them. Cheap food is a prime example. Another
example is the packaging used by supermarkets. The cost to the consumer, in taxation and council tax to pay
clean up bills, and to the environment is not reflected in the price. Often small retailers and traders use
paper bags which you can use in your compost bin or can be recycled. Studies carried out in 2007
established that excess packaging, as well as plastic carrier bags, cost the average family about £470 a year.
Councils pay £32 in landfill tax for every tonne of rubbish they throw into landfill. This will steadily rise. The
Local Government Association argues supermarkets should pay towards the collection of their packaging as
an incentive to cut back. Only when the public finally say “no!” and firm international controls on
corporations are instituted will they give in.
Corporate Charters In the eighteenth century and early nineteenth centuries, corporations like the East India
Company were granted charters that set out specifically what they were required to do and their limitations.
That system was eroded in the nineteenth century and corporations, especially in USA, became immensely
powerful. Laws gave corporations increasing autonomy and limitations were swept away. Oil and automobile
interests bought up and closed down train and tram systems to pave the way for cars, buses and airlines. In
USA, extreme abuses of power gradually resulted in constraints and the recession led to the New Deal
followed by post war federal agencies and regulation. However, restrictions were steadily eroded in the era
of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and George Bush Junior.
People should be the sovereign authority. The power of unelected, unaccountable corporations, largely
supported by timid governments has led to a global crisis of enormous proportions. Mary Zepernick, points
out how long and how much energy it takes to fight one single issue, often more than a decade, whilst more
new issues constantly arise. Regulation is not effective. Regulatory agencies are too weak and expensive.
Fines are too small to be treated as more than a business cost. Big business and government need to serve
the needs of people. Citizens have to gain control over both big corporations and government. Mary
92