In this episode, we speak with Joel Bakan, professor of law at the University of British Columbia, award-winning author, and filmmaker, about how corporate power continues to shape — and often undermine — democracy. Drawing on his bestselling book The Corporation and its sequel The New Corporation: How “Good” Corporations Are Bad for Democracy, Joel reflects on two decades of investigating how corporations influence our societies, politics, and the environment. He shares the story behind the original book and documentary, explains why he felt compelled to return with an “unfortunately necessary sequel,” and explores the contradiction between corporations’ “caring” image and their growing power.

Why are corporations now branding themselves as socially responsible actors? How has this narrative changed since the early 2000s? And what does it mean for democracy, inequality, and justice? Join us as we unpack these urgent questions with one of the leading critical voices on corporate accountability.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• 🏢 How Joel’s interest in corporate law and human rights converged
• 🎬 The story behind The Corporation and its global impact
• 📈 Why corporate power has expanded despite decades of critique
• 💰 How “good” corporate branding obscures deeper structural harm
• 🧩 The dangers of looking to corporations — instead of democracy — for solutions
• 🔄 Why a sequel was “unfortunately necessary” in the post-Trump, post-COVID era

👤 About the Guest:

Joel Bakan is a professor of law at the University of British Columbia and an internationally recognized author and filmmaker. His work critically examines the legal and social frameworks that empower corporations at the expense of democracy, equality, and the environment. His books and films, including The Corporation and The New Corporation, have been widely acclaimed for their depth, clarity, and global influence.

🖱️ Resources & Links:

• The Corporation – Documentary Film
• The New Corporation: How “Good” Corporations Are Bad for Democracy – Book & Film
• Joel Bakan’s official website: https://joelbakan.com
• Donate to support Just Access: https://just-access.de/donate

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