Book
Our society is mainly driven by economic motives and the economy is mainly driven by managers.
In this book, Luc Janssens makes a critical analysis of the impact of management theories and practices on our society. In this context he engages in dialogue both with major philosophical thinkers and with present-day business managers.
Political philosophers
What would Marcus Aurelius, the Roman who ruled an empire, think about the role and the impact of contemporary multinationals and their global playing field?
How would the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus, who claimed that everything is in constant movement, feel about our business schools, who swear by the almost divine dictate of continuous change and disruptive innovations?
What would Machiavelli, the philosopher who advised the princes of the Renaissance on how to get or stay in the saddle, think about the never-ending stream of literature on “how to beat the competition”?
Would John Locke, who conceived the concept of political liberalism and who believed that every person has a natural right to life, freedom and possession, feel that his ideas have become reality in our neoliberal society?
Present-day managers
What’s the origin of the prestige and authority of present-day managers? On what grounds do managers claim that they can decide on the fate of enterprises and shape it into what is desirable for the future? What knowledge, insights and skills turn a manager into a respected role model - or are we talking about cleverly orchestrated power games?
The transfer of production facilities or procurement regions to low-wage countries is primarily dictated by individual business economics motives. Its success has triggered a mass movement and has brought prosperity to the new economies, but has also caused political, economic and military shifts that keeps pushing our society in a position of dependence.
Is it possible that managers take decisions in the interest of their company that are so far-reaching that the role of politics is becoming one of a follower and facilitator? We ask the advice of a select group of political philosophers, but also listen to the opinion of contemporary CEOs.