Law Commons^™

Chancellor Allen And The Fundamental Question, D. Gordon Smith

Seattle University Law Review

In this article, the author explains Chancellor Allen's expansive reputation by examining his ability to speak to what philosopher John Danley calls "the fundamental question": "What is the appropriate role of the modem corporation in a free society?" From the chartering of the first corporations in the United States to the present day, debate over the fundamental question has been rancorous. On one side of the debate stand those who believe that society is best served when corporations strive to maximize profits for the benefit of shareholders; on the other side stand those who believe that corporations should have some …