Direct Economic Bicameralism

Abstract

This thesis seeks answers to my research question: “Can economic bicameralism contribute to the fulfilment of moral responsibilities of the firm towards the common good?”, by first analyzing the conceptual basis of Corporate Social Responsibility in Chapter 1. By analyzing relevant literature, such as Political Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, Social Connection Model, and Aresponsibility, I argue that corporations, such as multinationals, have a responsibility towards the common good. I conclude that CSR fails in aligning the corporation with the common good and, in the rare case that it does, fails on the basis that it lacks democratic legitimacy. In the second chapter, I analyze workplace democracy and weigh the arguments in favor of and against it to ultimately conclude that the democratized workplace answers the need for democratic legitimacy and has many advantages. In Chapter 3, I look into the recent proposal of economic bicameralism, answer the challenges it faces, and conclude that it can help corporations to fulfill their moral obligation towards the common good. I add the ideas of assembly-based direct democracy and delegation to the existing literature on economic bicameralism. Given this new institutionalization of workplace democracy, which I call Direct Economic Bicameralism, I will conclude that it can contribute to the fulfillment of the moral responsibility of firms towards the common good.