←back to thread

Accountability sinks

(aworkinglibrary.com)
493 points l0b0 | 2 comments | 19 Oct 24 23:39 UTC | HN request time: 0.407s | source
Show context
larsrc ◴[20 Oct 24 08:33 UTC] No.41893900[source]▶
I've long thought that that is one of the main functions of corporations. There's a reason they're called limited liability. The fact that you can conjure up new companies at a whim makes it easy to shuffle responsibility into an obscure corner.

This is a strong reason that corporations should not be considered people. People are long-lived entities with accountability and you can't just create or destroy them at will.

replies(8): >>41893925 #>>41893958 #>>41894134 #>>41894218 #>>41894483 #>>41894896 #>>41895035 #>>41900100 #
1. 7952 ◴[20 Oct 24 12:26 UTC] No.41894896[source]▶
At a more basic level money eliminates the need for social obligation. There is no expectation of reciprocity or mutual respect. You pay for a product, it is delivered and that is the end of it. Corporations do this within their own internal economy or with partner companies. A cost centre pays an amount of money and delegates responsibility.
replies(1): >>41895336 #
2. swayvil ◴[20 Oct 24 13:47 UTC] No.41895336[source]▶
Enjoying the benefits of living in a society (a degree of trust, no deadly combat, services like police) without suffering its liabilities (mandatory politeness and respect).

It's the profitable course.