Fearing that corporations could become a threat to democracy and freedom, early Americans placed many restrictions on corporations. Early corporations were restricted in the length of time they could exist, in the amount of capital they could control, and in the number of owners they could have. Corporate owners were personally liable for any debt incurred or harm caused by the corporation. Corporate profits were limited and corporations were required to serve specific social goals in the public interest by mandate of the corporation's charter.
A corporate charter is a certificate granted by government to a group of people which allows them to operate as a corporation. The charter grants certain rights and privileges to the corporation. Since the early days of America, corporations have enjoyed sweeping changes in the rights, privileges and protections guaranteed them by the government and these changes are reflected in the contents of the corporate charter.
Modern day corporations are endowed with such sweeping rights, privileges and protections that the fears of the early Americans have materialized. Corporations now control the bulk of the world's wealth, resources and labor. Corporations are allowed to inflict massive harm to the environment and bear little or no liability for this damage. Nothing is beyond corporate influence and domination, including the media, the courts and elections. A corporation, or a host of corporations acting in concert, are able to wield such enormous economic and political clout that they are able to rival, and even to usurp, control by government.
However, the power to grant, change and revoke corporate charters rests, even today, within each state's legislature. Hence, granting corporate charters and controlling corporate behavior is ultimately a sovereign right and duty of the citizens. The booklet, "Taking Care of Business," ends with a sample Citizen's Resolution that if passed, state by state, could make a tremendous difference in the control corporations have over our lives.
Booklets can be purchased from:
Charter, Ink. / CSPP
P.O. Box 806
Cambridge, MA 02140
One booklet costs $4.00 plus 52 cents postage. Quantities of the booklets can be ordered at the following rates:
5-24 @ $3.20 + $3.00 postage
25-49 @ $2.80 + $6.00 postage
50-99 @ $2.40 + $14.00 postage
100-500 @ $2.20 + $30.00 postage
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited