Do Business Leaders Have Role-Model Obligations to Be Good Political Actors?

Abstract

This article raises an issue about corporate political activity that is different from those typically addressed by business ethicists. It examines the role-model status and obligations of the business leaders who direct such activity. This approach has two potential benefits. First, since ethicists often appeal to role-model obligations and many are concerned about corporate political activity, business ethics literature would benefit from expanding the examination of role-model status and obligations to encompass the business leaders who direct political activity. Second, it will help ethicists determine what we should demand from business leaders who direct such activity. This is important given the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010 that guarantees corporations the free-speech right to make political expenditures in support of political causes. I seek to demonstrate that we should hold business leaders morally accountable for how they direct political activity because of their role-model status that arises from their greater fame, authority, or power than ordinary persons possess.