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Does nationalization increase stakeholder democracy?

Simeon Scott (Based at Bradford College, Bradford, UK)

Social Responsibility Journal

ISSN: 1747-1117

Article publication date: 8 June 2010

846

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the theory and practice of stakeholder democracy. After examining the liberal notion of representative democracy, the paper seeks to identify the democratic deficit associated with the shareholder and stakeholder approaches to corporate governance. Investigating stakeholder democracy in nationalized industries in both market‐ and state‐capitalist societies, the argument presented is that neither type of society has significantly increased stakeholder involvement in decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a Hegelian dialectical approach to stakeholder democracy; relying on such modes of analysis as identifying internal contradictions.

Findings

The paper concludes that stakeholder democracy is both real and nominal in the political sphere, but restricted and contested in the private and public sectors in the economic sphere.

Practical implications

The paper calls for the setting‐up of democratic structures to oversee the production and distribution of the goods and services necessary for human wellbeing.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the relatively neglected topic of stakeholder democracy, using a Hegelian dialectical methodology. In the context of the 2007/2008 financial crisis and its recessionary aftermath, the paper calls for a radical re‐evaluation of corporate governance.

Keywords

Citation

Scott, S. (2010), "Does nationalization increase stakeholder democracy?", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 164-182. https://doi.org/10.1108/17471111011051694

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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