The Corporation is a 2003 Canadian documentary film, directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott, that explores the nature and impact of the business corporation organizational model. The film is based on the premise that if corporations are legally recognized as persons, then their behavior can be analyzed using the psychiatric criteria for personality disorders, particularly psychopathy. The film goes on to demonstrate through various case studies, such as child labor in Pakistan, environmental destruction in South Africa, and the impact of pharmaceutical companies in the United States, how the organization model often leads to harmful and unethical business practices.
The documentary also examines the history of the corporation and the legal framework that has enabled its rise as a dominant force in the global economy. The film features interviews with a range of experts, including Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Naomi Klein, and Milton Friedman, as well as CEOs of major corporations like IBM, Nike, and Shell.
Throughout the film, the audience is presented with evidence that the corporation, as a legal entity, is fundamentally detached from moral responsibility, driven only by a profit motive, and indifferent to the social and environmental impacts of its operations. The film argues that this makes the corporation a psychopathic entity, capable of causing great harm to individuals, communities, and the planet as a whole.
Despite this bleak assessment, the documentary also presents examples of individuals and organizations that have successfully fought against corporate power, such as the activism of Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke against water privatization in Bolivia. The film concludes with a call to action for viewers to become knowledgeable and engaged citizens to challenge the power of the corporation and promote a sustainable future.
The Corporation was well-received critically and won several awards, including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. It has become a widely-used educational tool and an influential part of the global debate about the role of corporations in society.