Corporate Governance and the Financial Crisis: The New Paradigm of the Rule of Law after the Collapse

Human Rights, Rule of Law and the Contemporary Social Challenges in Complex Societies: Proceedings of the XXVI World Congress of Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, by Marcelo Galuppo, Mônica Sette Lopes, Lucas Gontijo, Karine Salgado, Thomas Bustamante (eds.), 1st ed., 2015

22 Pages Posted: 1 Feb 2016

See all articles by Dawid Bunikowski

Dawid Bunikowski

Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Department of Philosophy; University of the Arctic; Cardiff University, Centre for Law and Religion; University of Eastern Finland, Law School

Date Written: 2015

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explain what corporate governance is, what the principles of corporate governance are, what standards are formally valid at a global level (including both American and European rules) and how deviant practice appeared both prior to and during the financial crisis which began in 2007. It also aims to explain the difference between the institutional axiology (written codes used within companies, the state law) and the real axiology (deviance on the part of companies, breaking promises) in companies. My approach is based on Jonathan Macey’s promissory theory of corporate governance and Cornelis de Groot’s legal analysis of corporate governance, and this paper takes a stance against hypocrisy in matters of business and of the state. Axiological analysis of the crisis in the global economy is necessary, since corporate governance, as an element of company law, constitutes an important branch of the law and of both legal and business practice. In conceptual terms, it has a close relationship with business ethics. I maintain that the crisis in corporate governance and business ethics was one of the main factors behind the financial crisis, and that the financial crisis brought about changes in the classical rule of law paradigm. States are now willing to take all available extraordinary measures to curb violations of law by companies, to safeguard good corporate governance and to protect human freedom and rights.

Keywords: corporate governance, financial crisis, rule of law

Suggested Citation

Bunikowski, Dawid, Corporate Governance and the Financial Crisis: The New Paradigm of the Rule of Law after the Collapse (2015). Human Rights, Rule of Law and the Contemporary Social Challenges in Complex Societies: Proceedings of the XXVI World Congress of Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, by Marcelo Galuppo, Mônica Sette Lopes, Lucas Gontijo, Karine Salgado, Thomas Bustamante (eds.), 1st ed., 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2725394

Dawid Bunikowski (Contact Author)

Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Department of Philosophy ( email )

127 Haddon Pl.
Montclair, NJ 07043-2314
United States

University of the Arctic ( email )

Rovaniemi, Lapland
Finland

Cardiff University, Centre for Law and Religion ( email )

PO Box 427
Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX
United Kingdom

University of Eastern Finland, Law School ( email )

PO Box 111
Joensuu, 80100
Finland

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