Ethics and Profits: The Crisis of Confidence in American Business

by Leonard Silk, David Vogel

Hardcover

First published September 28, 1976

Reviews

[Public Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really struck me reading this: things sure have changed a lot since 1975! This book is a really fascinating snapshot of what business executives were saying at that point in history. The authors went to multiple business gatherings to interview businessmen (almost all men at the time I'm sure) about what they were thinking and to hear the kind of things they were saying behind closed doors. There was an incredible amount of anxiety about Ralph Nader and the democratic process (see also Crisis of Democracy) and the slipping influence of American business on politics. Like I said, things have changed a lot.

But more fascinating than the time capsule aspect of this book is how accurately it predicts and explains what American business set out to do in the 40 years since - namely organize and influence the polity. If you could magically transport the anonymous executives quoted in this book to today they would be stunned by how much they were able to accomplish.