A The first amendment to the consitution states Congress sha

A. The first amendment to the consitution states:

\"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.\"

Should corporations be protected by this amendment? Should they be given \"Freedom of Speech\"? Why or why not? What will the outcome be in each case?

B. Should corporations be allowed to influence the legislatory processes? Explain the problems with the current form of the practice of lobbying by corporations. How can it be improved?

Solution

Ans A:

Corporations should be given the freedom of speech. After all corporations are made up of individuals who have their own ideas which need to be told. In a sense if corporations are not protected by this amendment it would mean they are in a way taking away the freedom of the individuals or people who are a part of the corporate. Hence, corporations should be protected by this amendment as well as they should have the freedom of speech.

In case they do not have this freedom then how do they do business. How do they come out and speak their mind? How do they bring in the change? To make sure that their ideas are heard they should be given the freedom of speech. If not, then the society might miss out on something meaningful.

Ans B:

Corporations should be allowed to give their opinion on legislatory processes but not influence it. One needs to understand that corporates now play a vital role in the development of the economy. They are powerful and want to succeed. With the correct vision they will not only earn profits and revenues for themselves but also for the economy as a whole.

Lobbying by corporations has created a lot of problems. Due to this the avaricity of corporations has increased. As corporates feel that their voice is important and it is heard and given importance they keep on pushing the envelope so that they can get benefits, irrespective of the economies state.

Due to this lobying there has been a rise in blackmailing, bribery, coercion and so on as corporates try any and every mean to make sure that policies and laws which suit them get passed in the legislation.

However, this can be tackled. As mentioned corporates voice should be heard as they are powerful and they are the way forward. But, they should not be given all the power and importance. Their advise shuld be taken but the final decision that is taken should benefit the society as a whole rather than a particular section or class of society.

A committee can be made which can have a mix of people from diferent backgrounds who can give a wholesome suggestion that can benefit the economy.