ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the history of theories and concepts of the social responsibility of the firm. The chapter progresses through the Marxist critique of the system of capitalism, to the early scholars of business and society and perhaps the starkest change to the system of capitalism in the history of the United States. The chapter then discusses the various theories of voluntary social responsibility including Carroll’s pyramid of corporate social responsibility, the concept of corporate citizenship, corporate codes of conduct, the Catholic Social Tradition, and today’s concepts of business ethics and sustainability. The chapter concludes with a three part critique of these voluntary systems.
