What is *Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good* about?

*Prosperity* challenges the traditional view that businesses exist solely to maximize shareholder profit. Colin Mayer argues this mindset has harmed economies, environments, and societies. Instead, he proposes corporations should prioritize solving societal and environmental issues profitably, redefining their purpose to foster long-term economic and social well-being. The book outlines reforms in corporate governance, ownership, and regulation to align business with broader societal goals.

Who should read *Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good*?

This book is essential for business leaders, policymakers, and students of economics or sustainability. It’s also valuable for anyone interested in corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical business practices, or systemic economic reform. Mayer’s insights appeal to readers seeking actionable strategies to align profit with planetary and social health.

Is *Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good* worth reading?

Yes. Mayer’s well-researched critique of shareholder primacy offers a visionary yet practical blueprint for redefining business success. Its blend of academic rigor, real-world examples, and policy recommendations makes it a timely resource for addressing modern challenges like inequality and climate change.

What are the main ideas in *Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good*?

- **Purpose over profit**: Profit should be a means to solve human and environmental problems, not an end goal. - **Corporate accountability**: Businesses must prioritize trustworthiness, values, and long-term societal impact. - **Legal and governance reforms**: Mayer advocates for restructuring ownership models, taxation, and regulations to incentivize purpose-driven business.

What arguments does Colin Mayer make against shareholder primacy?

Mayer attributes economic inequality, environmental degradation, and political distrust to the shareholder-first model. He argues this narrow focus undermines innovation, employee welfare, and sustainable growth. Instead, businesses should balance profit with responsibilities to stakeholders like customers, communities, and future generations.

How does *Prosperity* redefine corporate purpose?

According to Mayer, a corporation’s purpose is to “produce profitable solutions to the problems of people and planet.” This shifts the focus from profit maximization to creating value through ethical problem-solving, fostering trust with stakeholders, and aligning operations with societal needs.

What policy changes does Colin Mayer propose in *Prosperity*?

- **Ownership restructuring**: Longer-term investor commitments to align with societal goals. - **Governance reforms**: Boards accountable to a broader range of stakeholders. - **Regulatory incentives**: Tax breaks and legal frameworks rewarding environmental and social contributions.

What are key quotes from *Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good*?

- “The purpose of business is to produce profitable solutions to the problems of people and planet.” - “Profit is not the objective of business; it is a means to achieving a purpose.” These lines encapsulate Mayer’s argument for reorienting business around societal value.

Prosperity Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Prosperity

Colin Mayer

3.82 (85 Reviews)

Business Economics Society

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

Colin Mayer's "Prosperity" radically challenges corporate purpose, arguing businesses should prioritize societal good over shareholder profits. Financial Times' Martin Wolf reluctantly agrees with its revolutionary stance. This Oxford professor's manifesto is reshaping how influential economists view capitalism's future - could corporations actually save society?

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung9Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten6 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß27Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Prosperity

What if the corporation's true purpose isn't profit maximization but solving problems for people and planet?

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Prosperity ist nicht nur ein Buch — es ist eine Meisterklasse in Business. Um Ihnen zu helfen, die Lektionen auf die für Sie beste Weise aufzunehmen, bieten wir fünf einzigartige Lernmodi an. Ob Sie ein Tiefdenker, ein schneller Lerner oder ein Geschichtenliebhaber sind, es gibt einen Modus, der zu Ihrem Stil passt.

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 9 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Prosperity in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 6 Erkenntnisse aus Prosperity auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Prosperity in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Prosperity erzählt in 27-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Prosperity durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

Personalisieren

Erleben Sie Prosperity auf Ihre Weise.

Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Starten Sie Ihre Lernreise, jetzt

Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Prosperity-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Prosperity

Colin Mayer

3.82 (85 Reviews)

Business Economics Society

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung9Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten6 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß27Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Prosperity

What if the corporation's true purpose isn't profit maximization but solving problems for people and planet?

Mehr wie dieses

The Future of Capitalism

John E. Mackey & Raj Sisodia

6 sources

The Forgotten Truth About Human Prosperity

2 sources

The Paradox of Conscious Wealth

15 sources

Capitalism's Self-Destructive Spiral

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

The Corporation's Crisis of Purpose

00:00

Imagine a world where businesses exist not just to make money, but to solve meaningful problems for society. This isn't some utopian fantasy - it's actually the original purpose of corporations before we lost our way. Today, trust in corporations has plummeted to historic lows, and for good reason. The shareholder-primacy model that has dominated business thinking for half a century has created a system where profit trumps all other considerations. Yet the modern corporation has undergone a dramatic transformation that few fully appreciate. Intangible assets now comprise 85% of US corporate market value, compared to just 20% forty years ago. This seismic shift is exemplified by WhatsApp's $19 billion acquisition despite having minimal physical assets and operating at a loss. We're in a new era - what Colin Mayer calls "the Age of the Mindful Corporation" - but we haven't updated our thinking about what corporations are for. The corporation wasn't born as a profit-maximizing machine. It began as something far more noble. Corporate origins trace to Roman times through institutions that were fundamentally public in nature. The societas publicanorum could continue indefinitely, own property, and raise finance through tradable shares - creating "popular capitalism" two millennia before Margaret Thatcher. Medieval corporations administered towns, established universities, and managed charitable institutions. Even the Catholic Church advanced corporate law during the 11th-13th centuries by granting corporate rights to alms-houses and hospitals. Only in recent history did corporations lose their public purpose, with the profit motive completely overshadowing their public dimension.

The Corporation as a Living, Purposeful Organism

Measuring What Truly Matters

Law as a Creative Force for Purpose

Reimagining Finance for the 21st Century

Restoring Corporate Consciousness and Integrity

Reclaiming the Corporation's Public Purpose

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 9 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Prosperity in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 6 Erkenntnisse aus Prosperity auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Prosperity in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Prosperity erzählt in 27-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Prosperity durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

Personalisieren

Erleben Sie Prosperity auf Ihre Weise.

Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Starten Sie Ihre Lernreise, jetzt

Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Prosperity-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Prosperity by Colin Mayer Summary

Overview of Prosperity

Similar books to Prosperity

Bestes Zitat aus Prosperity

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 9 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 6 Erkenntnisse aus Prosperity auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Prosperity erzählt in 27-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 0 Minuten

Prosperity PDF herunterladen

Prosperity EPUB herunterladen

Prosperity by Colin Mayer Summary

Overview of Prosperity

Similar books to Prosperity

Bestes Zitat aus Prosperity

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

The Corporation's Crisis of Purpose

The Corporation as a Living, Purposeful Organism

Measuring What Truly Matters

Law as a Creative Force for Purpose

Reimagining Finance for the 21st Century

Restoring Corporate Consciousness and Integrity

Reclaiming the Corporation's Public Purpose

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 9 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 6 Erkenntnisse aus Prosperity auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Prosperity erzählt in 27-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Prosperity in 0 Minuten

Prosperity PDF herunterladen

Prosperity EPUB herunterladen

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

The Corporation's Crisis of Purpose

The Corporation as a Living, Purposeful Organism

Measuring What Truly Matters

Law as a Creative Force for Purpose

Reimagining Finance for the 21st Century

Restoring Corporate Consciousness and Integrity

Reclaiming the Corporation's Public Purpose