Reflection
Based on my limited and superficial
research into the harms of corporations operating within the DRC mining
industry, I can see that there is a need for further research into the
appropriate mechanisms and regulations capable of limiting corporate harm
creation and human rights abuses. The following aspects were discussed within
our class, and I am going to address each briefly with respect to what I have discovered
after reading about the coltan mining and extractive industry of the DRC.
Capitalism: an economic and
political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by
private owners for profit, rather than by the state
- - I think that within the DRC whether or not
capitalism as an economic model was directly implemented within the state, it
is basically the way the mining industry is being operated. The daily
operations within the mines are controlled by military leaders and the
political elite and private businessmen who have connections with the militia
factions. The revenue stays within the higher ranking officials involved in the
efforts, and definitely do not trickle down. The state has very little authority
on the procedures and the profits, even though the land being used for
extraction is public, state owned territory. As mentioned before, the proceeds
that should be publicly exhausted are instead flowing into the pockets of
military leaders and their elite networks exhibiting the unfair distribution of
wealth being concentrated within these organizations.
(Oxford Dictionary)
Liberalism: a political
philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human
race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of
political and civil liberties; specifically: such a philosophy that
considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social
inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class)
- - The de facto
principles governing the DRC (specifically the Ituri region) are certainly not
liberal based on this definition. The individuals being forced into labour practices
within the mines are not exercising autonomy. The issue with the mining
operations is that those who are vulnerable are being repressed and forced into
working within the dangerous extraction environment for very little compensation.
The mechanisms used to coerce these individuals to work are seen as human
rights abuses and are the exact opposite of “protecting political and civil liberties”.
Social inequalities are magnified in such environments and the only way to impede
these injustices from continuing is by implementing effective methods of
regulation and punishment to ensure inequalities are addressed and remedied.
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Corporate Harm Creation:
Do corporations harm the environment?
- Although I did not
examine the environmental impact of the mining industry I do believe that the
environment (the soil and surrounding water supply) must be negatively impacted
during the extractions.
Workers?
- Obviously this has been established that the
workers are not treated fairly, are not compensated adequately and are subject
to human rights abuses used to coerce them into performing their duties in the
mines.
People who have no connection to them?
- As mentioned
previously, the battle for control over the mineral regions of the DRC has lead
to full on bloodshed and civil war. Any innocent individuals simply living in
the region would have been detrimentally affected by the extraction industry. Furthermore,
since the regions are technically public, the citizens of the area are not receiving
returns that should have been dispensed back into public venues and institutions
such as the health system.
Democratic institutions?
- The mining regions do not observe
the influence of the central government at all. Democratically elected
governments have no voice in these regions and are basically powerless. The military leaders are in control of the
region regardless of who the state power is.
Finally, a question that comes to mind is, “Who should we
punish for corporate harm creation?”
I believe that the CEO’s and
Board of Directors of the corporation should take responsibility for their actions;
however, I also understand that the implementation of guidelines and principles
within the frontlines of the operation is difficult. There needs to be more
self-regulation and the ability for managerial individuals to access the
frontlines to maintain adequate operational procedures.
I don’t believe that shareholders
should be held accountable, because it is possible that they are shielded from
the actual dealings and transactions that are occurring. Shareholders may not
possess all the required knowledge to address and correct the issues.
Also, as a society we need to
address the issues beyond the corporation itself, such as our materialistic
impulses and capitalistic greed. These subjects go well beyond simple solutions
to harm creation and address broader, more complex forces within our society.
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