Comments on: Socially Responsible Investing’s Silly Screens http://www.marcgunther.com/2006/11/28/socially-responsible-investings-silly-screens/ This blog is about the impact of business on society. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:14:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Karen Street http://www.marcgunther.com/2006/11/28/socially-responsible-investings-silly-screens/comment-page-1/#comment-294962 Karen Street Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:51:38 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=80#comment-294962 Why do you think that investment in nuclear power is not socially responsible? Why do you think that investment in nuclear power is not socially responsible?

]]> By: Huw Sayer http://www.marcgunther.com/2006/11/28/socially-responsible-investings-silly-screens/comment-page-1/#comment-283692 Huw Sayer Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:07:26 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=80#comment-283692 Should this be called the Major Barbara conundrum? I don't quite remember the plot of Bernard Shaw's play but I do recall that one character extolled the virtues of making weapons; effectively saying they were responsible for peace and happiness (as well as considerable wealth). The problem with SRI as you rightly point out is how do you define socially responsible? Inuits might regard seal hunting as socially responsible in that it keeps their society healthy - but I am not sure an ex-Beatle would agree. Kind regards H Should this be called the Major Barbara conundrum? I don’t quite remember the plot of Bernard Shaw’s play but I do recall that one character extolled the virtues of making weapons; effectively saying they were responsible for peace and happiness (as well as considerable wealth).

The problem with SRI as you rightly point out is how do you define socially responsible? Inuits might regard seal hunting as socially responsible in that it keeps their society healthy – but I am not sure an ex-Beatle would agree.

Kind regards

H

]]> By: Marc Gunther » War and Pax http://www.marcgunther.com/2006/11/28/socially-responsible-investings-silly-screens/comment-page-1/#comment-43971 Marc Gunther » War and Pax Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:53:50 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=80#comment-43971 [...] First, as I’ve written before (Socially Responsible Investing’s Silly Screens), I don’t think ethical screens make much sense. They’re a holdover from the 1960s and 1970s. They may make people feel good, but they don’t lead to social change. In particular, I don’t think it makes sense to screen out all military contractors in a post—September 11 world. Whatever you think of the Iraq War (and you can guess what I think), it’s hard to make the case that the U.S. does not need weapons and a national defense. [...] [...] First, as I’ve written before (Socially Responsible Investing’s Silly Screens), I don’t think ethical screens make much sense. They’re a holdover from the 1960s and 1970s. They may make people feel good, but they don’t lead to social change. In particular, I don’t think it makes sense to screen out all military contractors in a post—September 11 world. Whatever you think of the Iraq War (and you can guess what I think), it’s hard to make the case that the U.S. does not need weapons and a national defense. [...]

]]> By: Louis Tenenbaum http://www.marcgunther.com/2006/11/28/socially-responsible-investings-silly-screens/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Louis Tenenbaum Mon, 11 Dec 2006 04:20:52 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=80#comment-279 I think it is reasonable to conmitnue to exclude nuclear power until the waste problem is truly solved in a responsible way AND the companies themsleves or their insureres are willing to accept the risk without government subsidy. The government insuracne issue is sort of the test of REAL in many other business contexts so why is it not a reasonable test in this case as well. I think it is reasonable to conmitnue to exclude nuclear power until the waste problem is truly solved in a responsible way AND the companies themsleves or their insureres are willing to accept the risk without government subsidy. The government insuracne issue is sort of the test of REAL in many other business contexts so why is it not a reasonable test in this case as well.

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