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The Capitalist and the Activist: Corporate Social Activism and the New Business of Change
2023 Axiom Business Books Award Silver Medalist (Business Commentary)
2023 Nautilus Book Award Silver Medalist (Social Change & Social Justice)
This is the first in-depth examination of the important ongoing fusion of activism, capitalism, and social change masterfully told through a compelling narrative filled with vivid stories and striking studies.
Today, corporations and their executives are at the front lines of some of the most important and contentious social and political issues of our time, such as voting rights, gun violence, racial justice, immigration reform, climate change, and gender equality. Why is this sea change in business and activism happening? How should executives and activists engage one another to create meaningful progress? What are potential pitfalls and risks for each side? What can they learn from each other? What first principles should guide leaders moving forward?
The Capitalist and the Activist offers an engaging and thoughtful look at the new reality of corporate social activism—its driving forces, promises and perils, and implications for our businesses and personal lives. Weaving deep research and fascinating stories that span business, entertainment, history, science, and politics, Tom Lin provides an insightful road map for how society arrived here and a practical compass for moving forward. Drawing together examples from the civil rights movement, campaign finance litigation, gun regulation, Black Lives Matter, the Confederate flag controversy, the Trump presidency, and other historical events, Lin brilliantly reveals and charts the course for a changing society of capitalists and activists seeking both profit and progress.
The Capitalist and the Activist is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the emerging future of activism, business, and politics.
2023 Nautilus Book Award Silver Medalist (Social Change & Social Justice)
This is the first in-depth examination of the important ongoing fusion of activism, capitalism, and social change masterfully told through a compelling narrative filled with vivid stories and striking studies.
Today, corporations and their executives are at the front lines of some of the most important and contentious social and political issues of our time, such as voting rights, gun violence, racial justice, immigration reform, climate change, and gender equality. Why is this sea change in business and activism happening? How should executives and activists engage one another to create meaningful progress? What are potential pitfalls and risks for each side? What can they learn from each other? What first principles should guide leaders moving forward?
The Capitalist and the Activist offers an engaging and thoughtful look at the new reality of corporate social activism—its driving forces, promises and perils, and implications for our businesses and personal lives. Weaving deep research and fascinating stories that span business, entertainment, history, science, and politics, Tom Lin provides an insightful road map for how society arrived here and a practical compass for moving forward. Drawing together examples from the civil rights movement, campaign finance litigation, gun regulation, Black Lives Matter, the Confederate flag controversy, the Trump presidency, and other historical events, Lin brilliantly reveals and charts the course for a changing society of capitalists and activists seeking both profit and progress.
The Capitalist and the Activist is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the emerging future of activism, business, and politics.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published January 11, 2022
8 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Tom C.W. Lin
2 books1 followerTom C. W. Lin is an award-winning law professor at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. He is also an academic fellow at George Washington University’s Center for Law, Economics & Finance. He is an expert in business organizations, corporate governance, and financial regulation. His scholarship has been published in many leading academic law journals. His expertise has been featured in major media outlets like Bloomberg News, CNN, Fortune, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 9, 2023
Lin urges coalitions between activists and capitalists. Since I’ve written four books on activist business success (most recently, Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World), I’m very familiar (and agree) with that case.
Lin covers some ground that I don’t. I appreciate his analysis of both sides’ strengths. He cites corporate skills in communications, operations, and accountability (p. 104)—and I’d elaborate to specify analytical/data capture/measurement skills (accountability), exponentially larger resources (operations), and global presence. But I see activists as the better communicators; their passion, tenacity, and creative tactics capture public attention, at no cost, that corporations often have to purchase.
And I appreciate his call for both groups to enlist governments—with far larger resources than activists and corporations combined—as partners (pp. 151-152), and how much power those combinations can bring to bear. He starts off with the four—four!—teenage Parkland shooting survivors who not only organized a massive Washington million-person demonstration (plus satellite demonstrations around the world) in just six weeks but also actually got gun safety legislation passed into law in notoriously gun-friendly Florida (pp. 1-4). Later (pp. 109-113), he discusses JP Morgan Chase’s $200 million economic and skills investment—in close collaboration with local government, business, and activist organizations—to rebuild Detroit’s shattered economy. Chase CEO Jamie Dimon freely acknowledges its self-interest. This effort turned it into “the home bank,” with 65 percent market share (p. 112). The company plans to replicate the effort elsewhere.
He documents many other corporations benefitting through social and environmental advocacy and argues that companies should choose their activism targets according to their strengths: logistics for a delivery service like UPS, housing for AirBNB, financial activism for banks… (p. 153). And he notes that social and environmental action can attract more impact investors and more capital (p. 115).
Also, recency creates relevancy. Lin documents many events and trends that hadn’t happened yet when I wrote my books. He covers the revulsion of CEOs like Apple’s Tim Cook and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg against the previous administration’s policies of deliberate cruelty, open racism, othering of numerous groups from Muslims (pp. 72-74) to women to people with disabilities to protestors exercising their rights to dissent to immigrants—even to the point of caging children (pp. 76-79). He also chronicles business response to the nationwide elevation of the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis (pp. 86-89), the gender gap and #MeToo movement (pp. 92-96), and the attack on democracy itself that culminated in the violent riot of January 6, 2021 (pp. 79-81).
Refreshingly, he warns against over-reliance on corporate saviors (pp. 117-131). Corporate elites (especially those not yet changed by diversity efforts) may slant their causes toward the most mediagenic or the ones with the largest financial stake (p. 127) rather than the most important, may attempt to deflect attention from bad actions in other areas, may water down legislation, etc. And causes without profit potential still need attention—thus, he sees a major role for government.
He encourages companies to see their purpose-driven mission not as PR but as a key element in the company’s core identity (something I’ve advocated for years). And he applauds the many ways activist corporate execs are making changes from the inside.
But he lacks deeper analysis of business’s ability to benefit by addressing really big problems in a systemic way. Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World has a lot more depth there. In short, the books complement each other, and you’ll benefit by reading both.
Lin covers some ground that I don’t. I appreciate his analysis of both sides’ strengths. He cites corporate skills in communications, operations, and accountability (p. 104)—and I’d elaborate to specify analytical/data capture/measurement skills (accountability), exponentially larger resources (operations), and global presence. But I see activists as the better communicators; their passion, tenacity, and creative tactics capture public attention, at no cost, that corporations often have to purchase.
And I appreciate his call for both groups to enlist governments—with far larger resources than activists and corporations combined—as partners (pp. 151-152), and how much power those combinations can bring to bear. He starts off with the four—four!—teenage Parkland shooting survivors who not only organized a massive Washington million-person demonstration (plus satellite demonstrations around the world) in just six weeks but also actually got gun safety legislation passed into law in notoriously gun-friendly Florida (pp. 1-4). Later (pp. 109-113), he discusses JP Morgan Chase’s $200 million economic and skills investment—in close collaboration with local government, business, and activist organizations—to rebuild Detroit’s shattered economy. Chase CEO Jamie Dimon freely acknowledges its self-interest. This effort turned it into “the home bank,” with 65 percent market share (p. 112). The company plans to replicate the effort elsewhere.
He documents many other corporations benefitting through social and environmental advocacy and argues that companies should choose their activism targets according to their strengths: logistics for a delivery service like UPS, housing for AirBNB, financial activism for banks… (p. 153). And he notes that social and environmental action can attract more impact investors and more capital (p. 115).
Also, recency creates relevancy. Lin documents many events and trends that hadn’t happened yet when I wrote my books. He covers the revulsion of CEOs like Apple’s Tim Cook and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg against the previous administration’s policies of deliberate cruelty, open racism, othering of numerous groups from Muslims (pp. 72-74) to women to people with disabilities to protestors exercising their rights to dissent to immigrants—even to the point of caging children (pp. 76-79). He also chronicles business response to the nationwide elevation of the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis (pp. 86-89), the gender gap and #MeToo movement (pp. 92-96), and the attack on democracy itself that culminated in the violent riot of January 6, 2021 (pp. 79-81).
Refreshingly, he warns against over-reliance on corporate saviors (pp. 117-131). Corporate elites (especially those not yet changed by diversity efforts) may slant their causes toward the most mediagenic or the ones with the largest financial stake (p. 127) rather than the most important, may attempt to deflect attention from bad actions in other areas, may water down legislation, etc. And causes without profit potential still need attention—thus, he sees a major role for government.
He encourages companies to see their purpose-driven mission not as PR but as a key element in the company’s core identity (something I’ve advocated for years). And he applauds the many ways activist corporate execs are making changes from the inside.
But he lacks deeper analysis of business’s ability to benefit by addressing really big problems in a systemic way. Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World has a lot more depth there. In short, the books complement each other, and you’ll benefit by reading both.
March 8, 2022
In the past several years we have witnessed a profound change in the business sector. When I was in college business was all about profits first, everyone get rich and do it quickly. Then the idea of corporate responsibility popped up and businesses jumped into social obligations. Not only did corporate responsibility grow but they woke up and realized that employees are important and need lives outside of work. Along came Covid and we have seen companies become activists in both the social and government sectors along with better serving employees.
We are seeing more companies focusing on corporate responsibility, partnering with activists, and exerting pressure on the government. The boundaries are becoming blurred. The new book The Capitalist and the Activist – Corporate Social Activism and The New Business of Change by Tom C.W. Lin explores the changes happening within the public, business, and political sectors. CEOs like Bezos, Cook, and Diamond have gone public on issues such as LBTQ, education, and homelessness. Don’t forget about Ben and Jerry’s activism which began many years ago.
Lin illustrates how the struggle for equality and justice persists. Working together, capitalists and activists are partnering to undo some of the harms that business has inflicted over the past 20 years. They are bringing issues to the forefront and fixing broken systems, demanding change, and empowering people. Issues like voting rights, climate change, campaign finance, gun regulations, and Black Lives Matter are prime examples The Capitalist and the Activist addresses.
I enjoyed Lin’s book. He explores the fusion of activism, capitalism, politics, and social change – something unheard a decade ago. The book is full of stories, corporate forces making change, the perils of “crossing over” into other sectors, the responsibilities that many businesses feel and act on, and a discussion guide. Just look at how business has reacted to the Ukraine situation right now. Twenty years it wouldn’t have happened so quickly.
Along with gripping stories, The Capitalist and the Activist examines ten areas for both activists and capitalists to consider.
1. Establish and publish a purpose-driven mission statement
2. Focus internally. Then locally. Then beyond
3. Pair lofty goals with actionable objectives
4. Be pragmatic
5. Go beyond corporate social responsibility
6. Engage in public policy and politics
7. Leverage Comparative Advantages
8. Create partnerships, not sponsorships
9. Measure and disclose
10. Review, reform, renew, or relinquish
The Capitalist and the Activist is very engaging, relevant, the stories supported all of Tom Lin’s points, and I couldn’t put them down. This book gives me hope that all sectors in our country and beyond can come together for change rather than constantly butting heads. I guarantee this book is different than any other that you have recently read and it speaks to the changes we are experiencing now.
We are seeing more companies focusing on corporate responsibility, partnering with activists, and exerting pressure on the government. The boundaries are becoming blurred. The new book The Capitalist and the Activist – Corporate Social Activism and The New Business of Change by Tom C.W. Lin explores the changes happening within the public, business, and political sectors. CEOs like Bezos, Cook, and Diamond have gone public on issues such as LBTQ, education, and homelessness. Don’t forget about Ben and Jerry’s activism which began many years ago.
Lin illustrates how the struggle for equality and justice persists. Working together, capitalists and activists are partnering to undo some of the harms that business has inflicted over the past 20 years. They are bringing issues to the forefront and fixing broken systems, demanding change, and empowering people. Issues like voting rights, climate change, campaign finance, gun regulations, and Black Lives Matter are prime examples The Capitalist and the Activist addresses.
I enjoyed Lin’s book. He explores the fusion of activism, capitalism, politics, and social change – something unheard a decade ago. The book is full of stories, corporate forces making change, the perils of “crossing over” into other sectors, the responsibilities that many businesses feel and act on, and a discussion guide. Just look at how business has reacted to the Ukraine situation right now. Twenty years it wouldn’t have happened so quickly.
Along with gripping stories, The Capitalist and the Activist examines ten areas for both activists and capitalists to consider.
1. Establish and publish a purpose-driven mission statement
2. Focus internally. Then locally. Then beyond
3. Pair lofty goals with actionable objectives
4. Be pragmatic
5. Go beyond corporate social responsibility
6. Engage in public policy and politics
7. Leverage Comparative Advantages
8. Create partnerships, not sponsorships
9. Measure and disclose
10. Review, reform, renew, or relinquish
The Capitalist and the Activist is very engaging, relevant, the stories supported all of Tom Lin’s points, and I couldn’t put them down. This book gives me hope that all sectors in our country and beyond can come together for change rather than constantly butting heads. I guarantee this book is different than any other that you have recently read and it speaks to the changes we are experiencing now.
February 8, 2022
This book couldn’t have come at a better time. It has a timely subject matter and is well written and easy to read. The author gives a brief overview and how the corporate/activist bonding works. This part to me was extremely helpful and gave me a good frame of reference for current events.
My only frustration with the book was the continual emphasis on left leaning causes, as though no conservative or right leaning associations existed or were worth mentioning. After all, is anyone really ‘for’ racial inequality, poverty, hampering civil rights. The author even made a passing glance at this viewpoint with the statement that conservative causes are already feeling marginalized in society.
There is also no discussion—perhaps this vehicle wasn’t the appropriate place—for determining the validity or worth of activist causes. Surely Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and Greta Thornburg, and environmental activists who spike trees and destroy vehicles are not all considered worthy of corporate partners.
Very good info on guidelines for corporate/activist cooperation and the chapter on concerns was a little weak with all those possibilities and possibles, but otherwise the book was excellent.
Highly recommended.
I received a reader’s copy in exchange for a fair review.
My only frustration with the book was the continual emphasis on left leaning causes, as though no conservative or right leaning associations existed or were worth mentioning. After all, is anyone really ‘for’ racial inequality, poverty, hampering civil rights. The author even made a passing glance at this viewpoint with the statement that conservative causes are already feeling marginalized in society.
There is also no discussion—perhaps this vehicle wasn’t the appropriate place—for determining the validity or worth of activist causes. Surely Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and Greta Thornburg, and environmental activists who spike trees and destroy vehicles are not all considered worthy of corporate partners.
Very good info on guidelines for corporate/activist cooperation and the chapter on concerns was a little weak with all those possibilities and possibles, but otherwise the book was excellent.
Highly recommended.
I received a reader’s copy in exchange for a fair review.
February 7, 2022
The Capitalist and the Activist by Tom C. W. Lin looks at the unification ion of activism, capitalism, and social change. The book offers an in depth look via research and stories that span business, entertainment, history, science, and politics of some of the most challenging and divisive political and social issues of our time. It is an important read for business executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to understand contemporary business and social activism. This book is filled with insight and offers hope to anyone trying to understand and navigate this era of profound change in business and society. It covers how we got here and offers guideposts to help us navigate this new territory.
March 3, 2022
The text is an in-depth look at the ever ongoing melding of activism, capitalism, and social change told through an easy-to-follow and in-depth narrative filled with accurate stories and compelling cases. I thought this book would be a dry read with a lot of legal speak since the author is a lawyer but I was pleasantly surprised when that was not the case. This book is worth the read and it can give one a few pointers on how to have civil discussions with some of the issues we all face today.
August 30, 2022
As far as it goes, this is a decent book. It’s easy to read and the stories are engaging. I was hoping for a bit deeper analysis (and a little less naked shilling for particular sorts of corporate activism), but I’m pretty deep in this stuff already. A good primer, and a good way to frame the issues for those who may not be familiar.
January 16, 2025
important ideas - just brief and surface level
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews