Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
Publications
Corporate Voice and Democratic Responsibility in 2025
Business leaders, long accustomed to operating within stable and well-understood democratic rule and processes, now face a more volatile and risky political landscape that challenges their ability to make long-term investments or chart a long-term business strategy. What actions can business leaders take to preserve the democratic foundations of economic freedom and prosperity?
This question and others were top of mind at the Aspen Business & Society Summit, an annual gathering of executives, long-term investors, and those who advise, teach and engage leaders on business’ role in society. This year, a number of Summit sessions elevated the tension between business norms and the law, and the value of corporate voice in defending democracy. Leaders and legal experts explored how new legal rulings, political retaliation, and partisan polarization are reshaping the preparedness and willingness of business leaders to speak or act in support of democratic institutions and norms.
Read on to explore how business leaders are navigating when to contest, when to concede, and how to use corporate voice responsibly in defense of democracy.
