Her crime cost nobody their life, but she famously was…
““Her crime cost nobody their life, but she famously was escorted off to a women’s prison. Had she been a corporation instead of a human being, odds are there never would have even been an investigation. Yet over the past century—and particularly the past forty years—corporations have repeatedly asserted that they are, in fact, “persons” and therefore eligible for the human rights protections of the Bill of Rights.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hartmann critiques the legal personhood of corporations, arguing it grants them human rights protections that should apply to individuals.
In simple terms: Treating corporations as persons gives them rights that may not be appropriate.
Key Takeaway
Question the extension of human rights to corporate entities.
Themes
legal theory
human rights
corporate personhood
justice
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
inquisitive
Type
legal
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- legal challenges
- public discourse
- academic debate
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
ethical implications
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- Should corporations have the same rights as people?
- How does this affect individual freedoms?
A Different Perspective
Corporate personhood can conflict with democratic accountability and public interest.