ABSTRACT

Over the course of the modern era, society has become increasingly defined, and divided, by economics. 1 Frequently, business leaders seem to pay little attention to people’s welfare, the social good and common decency. The recent demise of the high-street chain British Home Stores is one case in point. Closure of its hundred and sixty-three stores put some eleven thousand people out of work and left an enormous pension deficit. 2 And just as this was happening, its former owner, a knighted billionaire, was receiving delivery of his new superyacht. 3 Moreover, the trend of hiring people as independent contractors, rather than full-time employees, enables companies to avoid paying for health coverage, maternity leave, vacations, pensions schemes and other benefits.