Now Playing
Ambient Radio

Keep Learning?

Sign in to continue practicing.

Read the following passage carefully and choose the option that provides the most accurate and comprehensive summary of the central argument presented by the author. Ensure the chosen option captures the core logical progression without omitting essential nuances or introducing external information.

The traditional economic doctrine of shareholder primacy, which posits that the sole social responsibility of a corporation is to increase its profits, is increasingly viewed as an insufficient framework for the complexities of the twenty-first-century marketplace. Proponents of stakeholder capitalism argue that a firm is an embedded social institution whose long-term viability is contingent upon the well-being of its employees, customers, and the environment. While critics contend that this multi-fiduciary approach dilutes corporate accountability and subverts the property rights of owners, the rising prevalence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics suggests a pragmatic shift. This evolution reflects a growing recognition that systemic risks, such as climate change and social inequality, are not merely externalities but are internal to the long-term capital preservation of the firm itself.

Options:

(A) Shareholder primacy is an outdated economic doctrine that is being replaced by stakeholder capitalism because the latter is more ethically superior and prioritizes social equality over corporate profit.

(B) Although stakeholder capitalism is criticized for reducing owner accountability, the adoption of ESG metrics indicates a transition toward a model that views social and environmental health as essential to a firm's long-term financial survival.

(C) The rise of ESG metrics proves that corporations have finally abandoned the goal of profit maximization in favor of solving systemic global issues like climate change and environmental degradation.

(D) Corporate accountability is being undermined by the shift from shareholder primacy to stakeholder capitalism, as property rights are subverted by an focus on externalities that are unrelated to capital preservation.

Correct Answer: (B)

Detailed Breakdown:

Option A is a distortion: The passage does not claim stakeholder capitalism is ethically superior; it suggests the shift is driven by a pragmatic recognition of long-term viability and capital preservation.

Option B is correct: It captures the tension between the two doctrines, acknowledges the criticism regarding accountability, and identifies the core reason for the shift as the internalizing of systemic risks for long-term survival.

Option C is extreme: The passage does not say corporations have abandoned profit maximization; rather, it suggests a shift in how long-term capital preservation is achieved within a social context.

Option D takes a one-sided view: It represents only the critics' perspective mentioned in the text and ignores the author's primary observation regarding the pragmatic evolution toward ESG and capital preservation.

Test Prep Tip: When a passage presents a conflict between two viewpoints, the correct summary must acknowledge the transition or the relationship between those viewpoints rather than focusing exclusively on one side of the debate. Look for options that mirror the nuanced synthesis provided by the author.