Lecture Notes: The Role of Governments and Corporations in Public Health and Environmental Issues

Introduction

• Story of a young man leaving the British Foreign Office due to government inaction on human rights issues in China and Burma.
• Highlight of governmental hypocrisy and avoidance of conflict.

Main Argument

• Conflict vs. Compromise
  • Conflict is not inherently bad; it depends on who is involved, why, and how.
  • Compromises can be harmful if they affect those not represented, particularly vulnerable people.

Separation of Powers in Government

• James Madison's Principle: Importance of separating legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
• Purpose: Prevent concentration and misuse of power, and maintain accountability.
• Example: Struggle between government branches serves the public.

Importance of Competition

• Private Sector: Recognizing struggle among corporations is beneficial.
  • Example: Airline collusion harms consumers by raising prices.

Public-Private Relationships

• Issue: Governments collaborating with industries often exacerbate problems they aim to solve.
• Problem: Confusing common good with common ground leads to ineffective solutions.

Examples of Harmful Collaborations

• UN Agency and Soda Company in India
  • Goal: Improve sanitation in schools.
  • Outcome: Increased brand loyalty for soda, contributing to unsustainable public health and environmental practices.
• Government and Industry Partnerships
  • Result: Public health framed in ways that avoid challenging industry, e.g., obesity as personal responsibility.

Fracking Case Study

• Hallowich Family: Health issues from fracking, silenced by a legal settlement.
  • Problem: Legal and regulatory systems conceal data from public health experts.

Counterexamples of Government Action

• Public officials suing pharmaceutical companies for misleading claims.
• Regulators challenging exaggerated health benefits claims.
• Legislators advocating for environmental protections.

Conclusion

• Call for governments to engage in conflict when necessary to protect public health and the environment.
• Role of government as guardians of public health and environmental integrity.

Final Thoughts

• Encouragement for governmental action against corporations for the common good.