I suspect that some CSR commentators have a problem with supporting the idea of values-based business. If you promote such a notion, then you have to give equal credibility to all values and not just the ones that you share. In other words, if you have trouble with the idea of calling Chick-fil-A a values-based business, or do not see that it is every bit as much a values-based business as Patagonia, then you do not support the idea in principle, but some biased version of the idea. Just because you may not agree with the values in question, does not make them any less valid or meaningful to those who do share them – they are just not values to which you ascribe. In line with this argument, the article in the url below places a values-based argument in the context of second amendment rights here in the U.S.:
"Louisiana is using the bond market to stick up for the Second Amendment. The state's bond commission voted 7 to 6 Thursday to ban Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. from working on its upcoming debt sale because of the banks' 'restrictive gun policies,' the state treasury said in a statement. Bank of America and Citigroup are the two top-ranked underwriters of long-term municipal debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg."
"Louisiana is using the bond market to stick up for the Second Amendment. The state's bond commission voted 7 to 6 Thursday to ban Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. from working on its upcoming debt sale because of the banks' 'restrictive gun policies,' the state treasury said in a statement. Bank of America and Citigroup are the two top-ranked underwriters of long-term municipal debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg."
The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution (the 'right' to bear arms) is an important part of this country's history. While I disagree with the modern interpretation of the amendment, and think the NRA's role in politics deliberately distorts the debate in a way that causes harm, I also recognize that there are many people who would disagree with what I just wrote:
"'I personally believe the policies of these banks are an infringement on the rights of Louisiana citizens,' Treasurer John Schroder said in a statement. 'As a veteran and former member of law enforcement, I take the Second Amendment very seriously.'"
The trouble for large, national companies dealing with guns to any extent (and, in some cases, it can be tangential), is that there are passionate feelings about this issue that vary considerably across the country. This makes implementing a consistent policy very challenging:
"The ban is the latest example of how corporate America has been drawn into the nation's polarizing debate over gun control. Earlier this year, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed using the city's business to push for stricter gun controls by limiting work with Wall Street firms that didn't cut ties with companies that sold firearms to people under the age of 21 or dealt in high-capacity magazines. The decision by Louisiana comes after Bank of America in April said it would stop making new loans to companies that make military-style rifles for civilian use. … Citigroup was the first major banking institution to set restrictions on the firearm industry in March, when it announced plans to prohibit retailers that are customers of the bank from offering bump stocks or selling guns to people who haven't passed a background check or are younger than 21."
From a Strategic CSR perspective, all this is well and good. In terms of the politicians (as opposed to the companies), what should happen is that, if the citizens of Louisiana do not support the actions their state representatives are taking on their behalf, they should vote them out of office and elect politicians/candidates that better represent their views (and values). Of course, that assumes an engaged electorate, and an honest campaign – in short, a well-functioning democratic system.
Take care
David
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Louisiana Bans Bank of America, Citi from Bond Sale Over Gun Policies
By Amanda Albright & Jennifer Surane
August 17, 2018
Bloomberg Businessweek
