While analyzing three speeches, which reflect the essence of the movies, it is necessary to consider some basic issues Gekko, Garfield, and Jorgenson point out. First of all, there is a need to state that according to Gekko’s worldview, it is greed, which determines a company’s success. Thus, Gekko says that “Greed, in all its forms – greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge – has marked the upward surge of mankind” (“American Rhetoric: Movie Speech,” n. d., para. 13).
Moreover, it seems that Gekko highlights the importance of unscrupulous world of wealth. In other words, one can make a conclusion that he is a supporter of the modern values; so, according to him, power and profit are recognized to be the basic issues the contemporary business is based on.
Lawrence Garfield’s ethics is mostly based on unfettered capitalism. However, one is to keep in mind that Garfield speaks about the key contrast in business ethics. Thus, he points out that the contrast between his self-interest and his moral duties in relation to others is considered to be the fundamental issue in all ethical debate.
Garfield describes the process of making money as a game; however, it seems that his emotions prevent him to be totally engaged in business. Thus, he asks “Who cares? I’ll tell ya: Me. I’m not your best friend. I’m your only friend. I don’t make anything? I’m makin’ you money” (“American Rhetoric: Movie Speech,” n. d., para. 5).
Andrew Jorgenson seems to be mostly concentrated on the importance of community and tradition. Loyalty and compassion are regarded by Jorgenson as the key variables the modern business must be based on. “Here, we build things. We don’t destroy them. Here, we care about more than the price of our stock! Here, we care about people” (“American Rhetoric: Movie Speech,” n. d., para. 8). Jorgenson wants Americans to accept and understand the true values their community has to stand for.
Generally, the speeches of three characters to the shareholders reflect the key points of corporate restructuring and corresponding ethical aspects, namely gender stereotypes, shareholder wealth maximization, and corporate takeovers.
The characters’ views on corporate social responsibility
For Gekko, Garfield, and Jorgenson corporate social responsibility is regarded differently. For instance, it is obvious that the viewpoints of all three characters reflect some of the key points of business ethics; however, the values of ethics are different. Thus, for Gekko, the major point of ethics CSR depends upon is Good vs. Bad, although he accepts Bad (greed) as a motive power of success.
Garfield’s ethics in relation to CSR is concerned with Praise vs. Blame and, probably, Right vs. Wrong. Garfield’s view is pessimistic; although he states that the prosperity people enjoy depends upon capitalism.
Jorgenson considers corporate social responsibility as a common kind of responsibility, when decisions and activities totally depend on each member of an organization. In other words, for Jorgenson Fair vs. Unfair seems to be the major issue of both – business ethics and corporate social responsibility.
The policy of corporate governance
Wall Street and Other People’s Money disclose significant breakdowns in corporate governance. Thus, it should be pointed out that it was a weak Board of Directors, which led to the company’s failure. As far as both movies depict governance in action, it is easy to analyze what basics of corporate governance caused the firm’s failure.
The concepts of business management
The movies allow us to understand the fundamental concepts of business management. Thus, Wall Street and Other People’s Money address business ethics and stakeholder management, and show us the importance of balancing the wants of each stakeholder class, while taking important strategic decisions.
References
American Rhetoric: Movie Speech. (n. d.). Americanrhetoric. Web.
American Rhetoric: Movie Speech. (n. d.). Americanrhetoric. Web.
American Rhetoric: Movie Speech. (n. d.). Americanrhetoric. Web.