Freshman Prize Debate Resolved: Corporations Have No Obligation to the Public.

[ce...@yale.edu]

YALE POLITICAL UNION
FLOOR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 - WLH 119

At 7:45 pm, the Speaker calls the meeting to order.

The chairmen of the parties make their announcements.

The President of the Yale Political Union explains that we have a
member from each party judging the debate and introduces them. They
are Kirstin Dunham (Liberal Party), Mollie Farber (Progressive Party),
Noah Mamis (Independent Party), Zheyao Li (Conservative Party), Brenden
Carbonell (Tory Party), and Lia Oksman (Party of the Right). She also
explains that the top 6 will be chosen based on their points according
to the scoring rubric. The judges will then discuss and choose the 3
winners from the top 6. She also reminds the speakers that speeches
should be limited to 4 minutes.

Shari Wiseman, the former Speaker of the YPU and Senior Sometime
Chairman at Yale of the Progressive Party announces that the
Progressive Party will be giving out their own prizes.

The President of the Yale Political Union moves the resolution,
Resolved: Corporations Have No Obligation to the Public.

The first speech in the affirmative is given by Mr. Will Wilson. He
exclaims, "Corporations are not people!" He believes that
corporations are wonderful things, but most certainly not people. They
are just legal and fiscal entities. He tells the body that being a
libertarian atheist doesn't make him immoral. Mr. Wilson believes
that a strong moral foundation is very important, but does not see why
the morality of a CEO should carry over to the company. He tells the
story of a Mr. Bleed E. Heart. If Mr. Heart modifies the assembly line
in a negative way to reduce air pollution so orphans don't get throat
cancer (*cough cough*), he is taking the investors' money! He has no
problem with companies doing something that might have short term
negative effects, but long term benefits. Proposes using orphans as
underpaid workers for the assembly line.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we thank Mr. Wilson
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Mr. J.T. Kennedy assumes the floor to give the first speech in the
negative. He believes that there are social contracts underlying all
interactions. Social contracts have the same common denominator: the
common good. The consumer is supposed to pay and the seller is
supposed to provide a good product. Another contract is the one
between worker and employee. Corporations have the right to lay off
workers, but because they depend on the work of the community, they
should minimize the impact of their actions. No contract is a one-way
agreement. Corporations must pay their debt to society just like the
people pay their debt to them.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Kennedy
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For the next speech in the affirmative, Mr. Michael Zink asserts that
we live in a relatively free society. People don't have to buy
products they don't want. People don't have to work for companies
that provide poor working conditions. Corporations have an obligation
to shareholders, government, and employees. All of these are related
to the outside body that the corporation is trying to work with.
Customers agree to pay, workers agree to show up to work, etc. There
is no mutual agreement with the public. What does the public have to
give the corporation in return? They serve no valuable function to the
company. Issues, like pollution, are the government's problem.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Zink for
a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For a speech in the negative, Mr. Alexander Dominitz tells the body
that he is honored to speak for the Yale Political Union. He then
observes that one of the most surprising things about Yale are the
dining halls. (*The body hisses*) He speaks of the food in the
Saybrook dining hall and says that he is glad that the nutrition facts
are available. He can't imagine how it was before acts were passed
that made things safer. The government has made corporations
responsible. Government should find ways for companies to find the
common good. Responsibility to the public is truth. People need to
understand a company's products and procedures.

The Chairman of the Tory Party moves that we thank Mr. Dominitz for a
fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Mr. Peter Johnston then makes the next speech in the affirmative. He
believes that the idea of obligation entails a moral obligation. Mr.
Johnston believes that Harvard's endowment should be used to provide
silk Yale ties for everyone. Obligation needs to be understood as a
legal thing. Corporations have to make money. They may have an
obligation to not do certain things. When Exxon has the oil spill,
they were required to pay for environmental programs. They had no such
obligation when they did not infringe on others. One must look at the
nature of the relationship between corporations and the public. Their
existences are independent. There is no systematic relationship, so
there is no obligation.

The Chairman of the Tory Party moves that we thank Mr. Johnston for a
find maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

In the negative, Ms. Alexandra Welch makes the assumption that most of
us agree that Walmart is not the ideal corporation. Corporations dump
pollution that affects everyone. There is an established relationship
with the public and certain standards must be followed. Companies also
have an obligation not to do things. For example, when advertising,
they can't deceive the public. Corporations should act together to
help people because they are also a group of people. Obligations
transcend law. If companies have business in other countries, they
shouldn't abuse people. Even if some believe that companies don't
have to actively help others, there are still things that they should
not do.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Ms. Welch for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the affirmative, Mr. Han Xu claims that the sole purpose of
a company is to make money. Why should companies ditch this purpose?
Why do certain people do certain things? It is because that is what
they are best suited to do! Companies are suited to make money, not be
charities! Mr. Xu reminds the body that smaller businesses don't
have enough resources for social activism. By imposing this, we
cripple these businesses. In the free market, companies are
self-regulating. They compete for the public good. If Saybrook
doesn't serve real French onion soup and are losing people to
Davenport because of it, they have to serve the real thing in order to
compete. All of the people in the negative talk about obligations
companies should have, but never explained why.

The former Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Mr.
Xu for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Mr. Matthew Brimer thought about how
impossible it would be to live without corporations. We wouldn't be
wearing clothes! Mr. Brimer is quick to clarify that he does not
condone nudity. He notes that clothes are made in sweat shops and that
we can't really do much to change that. Companies and consumers both
know that. In WW2, Coca Cola was considered a very patriotic company.
But, their product, Fanta, was also very popular in the Third Reich.
Even the colorful Google will leave a cookie that can keep track of our
searches and e-mail. They have so much to do with our lives that they
should have an obligation. Despite free will, we are still being
pushed around by corporate advertising. Mr. Brimer suggests tighter
environmental controls and more labor regulations. He believes that
public accountability should be important to a CEO.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Mr. Brimer for a
fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

In the affirmative, Mr. Dan Bleiberg believes that because nothing was
ever signed, there is no such thing as a social contract. Walmart is
not evil. They don't break laws and when they do, they're told to
stop. Walmart's average wage is about $10, well above the minimum
wage. Companies should not impose more obligations on themselves
because they still have to compete with others. They have no other
obligations besides the very basic morals.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Bleiberg
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

The next speech in the negative was given by Mr. John Robinson. He
bases his argument on the fact that corporations are a vital element in
society and play a substantial role in the lives of citizens. Our
lives are bound to corporations. Adults spend a third of their lives
working. A relationship exists between corporations and the public.
Corporations use public facilities. Neither one can live without the
other. Imagine a world without corporate obligation. The decision to
hire someone can be based on prejudices and the workplace can be
unsafe. Human beings could be treated as pawns or raw material.
Corporations affect our lives without our consent.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Mr. Robinson for a
fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Mr. Pusha Kamyshev is the next speaker in the affirmative. He says
that one type of obligation is the legal type, but that he will not
focus on that because it is very clear. The real question is whether
or not they have an obligation aside from the law. Corporations should
not do anything aside from the law that will hurt them in making money.
Corporations are not separate from the public. They have done many
good things. Some say that corporate success clashes with the common
good. We don't know what the common good is! That is not the
corporations' fault. Bad laws are what should be blamed.
Obligations to the public are unnecessary and sometimes even harmful.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Kamyshev
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

In the negative, Mr. Gregory Price speaks of the purpose of a company.
Many have said that the purpose is to make money, but he says that
companies used to exist to serve the public. The early companies were
not there solely for money. The British were the first that adopted
this new view and they transferred it to the colonies. This eventually
led to people thinking that companies can do whatever they want.
Currently, companies have the same rights as a human being...except
that they're immortal. Mr. Price lives in Toledo, Ohio. There is a
Jeep plant located in Detroit. When that plant lays off people, it
hurts his community.

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Mr. Price
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Ms. Lauren Henry then speaks in the affirmative. She says that one
must define an obligation before figuring out if one exists. In the
case of government, it is morally obligated to provide services because
we give up certain freedoms. The public is free to buy or work for a
company, meaning that there is no obligation. A corporation is not a
charity nor government. Their job is to provide the best goods and
services they can in exchange for money. Corporations provide a more
stable economy.

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Ms. Henry
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Mr. Chris Young reminds the body that the
Supreme Court has granted 14th Amendment personhood to corporations.
They are entitled to the same rights and obligations as any other
person. They are obligated to take up the responsibilities of a
person. One person can affect another person. Also, a dismembered
society harms the whole. Since corporations are not natural persons,
they don't act like it. They break the rules and still reap the
benefits of personhood. Corporations have to accept that with
privilege comes accountability.

The Chairman of the Progressive Party moves that we thank Mr. Young for
a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

In the affirmative, Mr. Kirk Portas says that corporations would be
using someone else's money for social good. It would be like taxing.
It would be taking money and then deciding how to allocate it. This
is pure socialism! Corporations are responsible for making a profit.
The individual has to spend their own time and money to fulfill
obligations as people. But if this individual is a CEO, he has to be
responsible for investors' money. Corporations will invest in a
community because it will benefit them.

The next speech in the negative was by Ms. Rachel Bayefsky-Anand. She
says that there are other obligations that we need to take into
account. A corporation is defined as a group of people that are
authorized to act a single person. Under law, they are legal and moral
persons. Obligation to society is not to harm other people.
Corporations can't pollute, sell dangerous products, or lie to the
public. Some people in the negative say that they should actively try
to help people. That takes it too far.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Ms. Bayefsky-Anand
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For a speech in the affirmative, Mr. Eric Purington found it
unnecessary that we go beyond the theoretical bound of argument. Maybe
there is a way to consider what each side wants. Corporation is there
to make a profit. When the corporation makes a profit, it helps
society at large. When we relieve corporations from so many
obligations, it does what it does best. Processes of society are sped
up and members of community are helped. We should let the invisible
hand decide what is most efficient for us.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Purington
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Mr. Ben Shaffer speaks of ice cream. Ben and
Jerry's provides the answer to the resolution. It's a corporation
that believes in obligation to the community. Their website says this!
There have been very good results. Philosophically, they have
obligation to public because they are part of it. Whether they are
motivated by money or social welfare, result is the same. Businesses
fulfill obligations because they don't live in a vacuum. Cornelius
Vanderbilt mandated that people that work at Vanderbilt University get
free education

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Shaffer
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the affirmative, Mr. Zubin Desai says that obligation is
something you must do to exist. People have confused virtue with
obligation. We are not obligated to pay taxes...we can go to jail
instead. Shouldn't murder someone because the consequences are great
(even though it might help at first). Corporations exist as beings
with self interest, even though they're not people (they don't make
babies). They make money. Vanderbilt is being a good person, but was
not obligated to provide education. The government has to be the
agency that assigns cost to what we do. We have to establish high costs
to stop companies that do harm. Mr. Desai warn the body that,
"Hobbes will make you unhappy!"

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Mr. Desai
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Mr. Noah Kazis then speaks in the negative. He notices that many say
that there is no legal obligation. Laws are just hidden and old.
Originally corporations were created by specific acts of legislature.
Corporations only exist because of people. There is a legal obligation
in all states for corporations to serve public good because we say that
they can exist.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Mr. Kazis for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

The next speech in the affirmative was given by Mr. Matthew Klein. He
hopes to persuade as many as possible in 4 minutes. Will use a
utilitarian argument. That which benefits the most people, is the best
thing to do. If corporations do what they can to make a profit, there
will be a public good. The public can buy goods for less. Walmart is
a model corporation. Sells goods at lower prices. People have more
disposable income and can send kids to better schools, invest in
stocks, etc. If we care about the poor, we should support resolution.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we thank Mr. Klein
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Mr. Ka Mo Lau wants to remind the body of the
industrial revolution. Slums existed because corporations pursued
profit without obligation. Corporations can still make a profit
without ignoring social concerns. Starbucks is an ideal corporation.
It looks out for interests of international concern. Starbucks is able
to attract human capital by pursuing human capital. Walmart employees
steal and there is a low retention rate. If they were socially
involved, they wouldn't have this problem.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Mr. Lau for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For a speech in the affirmative, Mr. Michael Pomeranz asserts that
corporations are not moral beings! In Genesis 2, there are many laws
about relationships. The Bible never says that it is more difficult
for a corporation to get into heaven than a camel to go through the eye
of a needle! Corporations are not people, except in the law. It is up
to individual people to do moral things. He encourages the body to
live out morality through one's own actions and not have it relegated
to a soulless corporation.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we thank Mr. Pomeranz
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Ms. Rachel Homer says that there is a general
responsibility not harm others. She is not allowed to murder or drive
on wrong side of sidewalk. The Supreme Court stated that a corporation
is a legal person. Corporations have an impact on society in the same
way people do. Corporations cannot exist without capital of public.
Relationship is there. The question is not, "Should there be
corporate responsibility?" The real question is, "To what standard
should we hold them up to?" The difference between a person and a
corporation is magnitude. Corporate responsibility should be even
greater than personal responsibility.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Ms. Homer for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

The next speech in the affirmative was given by Mr. Alexander Gregath.
He tells the body that US law recognizes corporate personhood. A
corporation is similar to a college student. Does a student have an
obligation to public? NOOOO!!! Student has to pay taxes and obey law.
This is a social contract with government, not public. No other
obligations exist. A corporation is a legal entity, distinct from a
natural person. A corporation has the right to be greedy and cold
hearted. Government has no right to impose morality on a corporation,
just like it can't impose that on individuals.

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Mr. Gregath
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

In the negative, Mr. Nathaniel Roth states that the interests of a
corporation are not that of the public. Corporations are human
institutions. We are actually indebted to them for the technology that
they have provided, but they are not immune to moral standards. It is
the government's responsibility to regulate corporations. We need
tougher laws. The planet as a whole is not private property.
Corporations have to respect the natural rights of employees. Nike
hasn't broken any laws, but are their actions good?

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Mr. Roth for
a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the affirmative, Ms. Sara Robinson says that the resolution
needs to be clearly defined. A corporation is obligated to a certain
course of action. It doesn't mean that they can get away with
everything. Corporations have no obligation to public. The government
does. Are there any obligations besides what the government imposes?
No! Ford and Toyota became socially responsible. Media still causes
corporations to change practices. Internationally, companies do very
good thing. Sewing soccer balls is a better option than prostitution.
Corporations will adhere to laws, so harm can't be that big.

The Chairman of the Independent Party moves that we thank Ms. Robinson
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Ms. Lucia Diaz-Martin then spoke in the negative. A political cartoon
shows businessmen praying. It says that one of the businessmen claims
to have seen the invisible hand of the market! There are many examples
of corporations donating to charities. Walmart doesn't care about
poor people. It's a way to foster a good feeling. Doing good
enhances a good image. Some companies thrive this way. The Body Shop
gives a certain amount of profit to charity. A large amount of profit
has to do with how public perceives them. For example, if they're
found to be socially responsible. Primary obligation is to maximize
profits. Secondary obligations help fulfill the primary. If
philanthropy helps, then one should do it. No intrinsic
responsibility.

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Ms.
Diaz-Martin for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political
Union.

Mr. Samuel Bagg then rises to speak in the affirmative. He says that
the key word is "should". We should all be in Dwight Hall trying
to figure out how to help the crack-heads of New Haven. Is it really
an obligation? There is a different morality between what we should do
and what we must do. Corporations don't have any obligations. The
responsibility belongs to the government. They should make better
laws. Corporations shouldn't do anything aside from the law.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we thank Mr. Bagg for
a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Ms. Elissa Berwick says that the government
and society are not two different entities. The people pay the
government to express views through taxes. Legal and moral obligations
exist. Morality comes with personhood. Corporations influence
elections, the environment, and society. Why should the community have
no say.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we thank Ms. Berwick for a
fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For the final speech in the affirmative, Mr. Zach Marks asks if
corporations are obligated to feed the homeless or someone else's
dog. He also asks if maximum profit and the social good are really at
odds. Mr. Marks gives the example of paying better wages. This
practice attracts younger people because of job security and the higher
wages. But, why should this practice not be obligatory? Because it is
none of our business.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we thank Mr. Marks
for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

Speaking in the negative, Mr. Sameer Jain wonders if corporations
should go beyond the law. Humans are allowed to pursue their own
goals, but they cannot harm others. Corporations are not exempt from
this obligation. Corporations depend on the public. They have an
obligation not to harm the public. They also have a positive
obligation. Environmental issues provide examples of that.

The Chairman of the Tory Party moves that we t hank Mr. Jain for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.

For the thirty-third and final speech in the negative, Ms. Lily
Dorman-Colby tells the body that three hours and 40 minutes of speeches
led her to rewrite her speech twice. She says that there have been
great technological advances in the last couple of years.
Unfortunately, the benefits have gone to the corporations and the
negative effects have gone to the public. The government does not
truly represent what is good because corporations also have a say in
the government. We are not on equal ground. The government should do
a better job at representing people.

The Chairman of the Party of the Right moves that we thank Ms.
Dorman-Colby for a fine maiden speech on the floor of the Yale
Political Union.

The President of the Yale Political Union moves that we recess for 5
minutes.

At 11:40 pm, the Speaker calls for order.

Mr. Mamis then announces the winners as follows:
First Place: Rachel Homer
Second Place: Sameer Jain
Third Place: Rachel Bayefsky-Anand

The President then announces that the Treasurer is not present and that
the winners will receive their prize at the next debate.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves the previous question.

With a vote of:
Affirmative: 14
Negative: 24

The resolution clearly fails.

The Chair of the Liberal Party moves that we adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,
Maria Gabriela Orochena
Secretary of the Yale Political Union