[JKCalhoun]

> All publicly traded corporations are morally obligated by the Friedman Doctrine to do stuff like this.

That's a strange way to put it. As though it is the Right and Good way to run a company — and also as though the Board's/CEO's hands are somehow tied.

[nailer]

But they are. You may consider it be terrible. There’s a good argument for that, the original Ford versus Dodge case we started by allegations from Dodge that Ford paying its workers more was not in the interest of Ford’s shareholders. But there is no rational reason to pretend the obligation doesn’t exist.

[JKCalhoun]

If I'm reading this correct, there is no law that says they have to do this, but they have to do this.

[nailer]

The law says they have to do this. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_v._Ford_Motor_Co.

[JKCalhoun]

Apparently, from my research, it's not the law.

There's fiduciary "duty", but not law. Judge's apparently give wide berth to management to decide what, perhaps long term, is going to be profitable.

[nailer]

Fair enough that makes good sense. What bothers me is that Ford’s actions probably were in a good long-term interests of Ford. It seems the ruling was very much focused on the short-term interests.