Reimagining Capitalism
Henderson is adamant that purpose-driven companies are at the heart of systemic rethinking of capitalism. Such faith in well-run, purpose-led, self-regulating businesses will invite some scepticism … But she is clear-eyed enough to acknowledge where and why well-meaning efforts, such as a Unilever-led drive to make palm oil a sustainable ingredient, have fallen short. — Read the complete FT review
Synopsis
Free market capitalism is one of humanity’s greatest inventions and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen. At the same time, its single-minded pursuit of profit has led to rampant inequality and the looming threat of climate catastrophe - and now threatens to destroy the society on which it depends.
Rebecca Henderson, John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, argues that business can simultaneously make a positive impact on the world by confronting the realities of our environmental crisis and the need to address social and economic inequality, while also delivering the sustained economic growth that brings prosperity and wellbeing to society as a whole.
Drawing on lessons from companies from around the world who are already making a positive difference, Reimagining Capitalism shows that this new approach is not only a moral imperative but also an extraordinary opportunity to drive growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive world. And, perhaps most critically, she suggests that it has the potential to balance the power of the market with the power of democratic, accountable government and strong civil society - the only long term solution to the problems that we face.
