CSR Needs CPR: Corporate Sustainability and Politics

(Tom Lyon et al, CMR, 2018)

Suggests that a company’s political activities may have more impact on social and environmental sustainability than operations, and argues that corporate political responsibility requires transparency, accountability, and responsibility.

 

​​Large Corporations Contributed to Our Political Polarization: Here’s How They Can Fix It 

(Mark Mizruchi, Niskanen Center, 2020)

This report provides an expansive history that ties the corporate condition to various policy eras, and makes a case for private sector investment in public policy (and not just one-off, charitable CSR initiatives).

 

How Corporate Lobbyists Conquered American Democracy 

(Lee Drutman, The Atlantic, 2025)

 

Does Private Regulation Preempt Public Regulation? 

(Malhotra, Neil, Benoît Monin, and Michael Tomz, 2017)

 

Time to Transform 

(WBCSD, 2021)

In a major refresh of its Vision 2050, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development argues that the decade ahead is critical if we are to achieve  “9+ billion people living well within planetary boundaries.” They highlight the need to shift political and economic incentives that push companies into short-term behaviors that undermine societal or environmental systems. See p. 50-55 for their call to action in the financial sector. 

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The Erb Principles for CPR 

(CPRT, 2022) 

Companies engage in politics in many ways: through spending on political campaigns, lobbying and advocacy, internal and external communications, and through all of these channels by way of trade associations. These principles guide companies to use their political influence aligned with the values of legitimacy, accountability, responsibility, and transparency. 

 

More resources at the CPRT Resource Library and Video Library