Op-Ed by James Abruzzo: successful businesses recognize their corporate social responsibility

Last month, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked legislation that would have used building codes to increase energy efficiency.

This theory ignores the reality of business in the post-Friedman era. On sustainability, in all its forms, the most successful businesses recognized their responsibility as corporate citizens and began acting on them decades ago.

Companies share a responsibility to all citizens, not just their employees and shareholders. The citizens and local governments allow the corporation to exist and thrive. They run the fire departments, teach the children of workers, and dry-clean clothing. The government provides all basic services necessary for the company to exist, including maintaining the roads between the private airport and the local headquarters.

“Ethical” corporations realize this and act accordingly.

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