Date Approved

2015

Date Posted

7-27-2015

Degree Type

Open Access Senior Honors Thesis

Department or School

Political Science

First Advisor

Volker Krause

Second Advisor

Jeffrey Bernstein

Abstract

Corporate person hood is not a term known or used amongst the majority of the populace. Citizens are often unaware that corporations can commit physical harms that are frequently reported as "accidents" and not as the result of human decision-making. In this study, we will analyze two nations: The United States and the United Kingdom. We will assess these nations relative to the existence of corporate homicide and corporate manslaughter laws, and each nation's response to such laws. Moreover, this research analyzes the ethical implications of each nation in relation to its corporate laws by measuring the balance between corporate rights and corporate liabilities. This analysis will seek to showcase how in both nations there is a great imbalance between the rights corporations hold and their accountability under criminal law. By explicating the history and enforcement of corporate person hood as well as providing examples of corporate harms, this study creates a clearer picture in determining the balance between corporate rights and corporate responsibilities.

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