International Roundtable: Governance in Crisis- The Contentious Coexistence Between Corporations and Democracy

Posted by The Law School

7 November 2025

The Centre for Commercial and Corporate Law at the University of Exeter, in collaboration with the Corporate Crime Observatory and the CRN41 Economic Crime and Corporate Compliance of the Law and Society Association, is delighted to invite you to attend the International Roundtable entitled Governance in Crisis: The Contentious Coexistence Between Corporations and Democracy.

The session will begin with the screening of the video “Capital, Capitalism, and the Capture of Democracy: A Conversation with John Christensen” (3:30 PM – 4:10 PM). For those attending online, please note that the screening will be shown at the start of the session. However, you may also watch the video separately in advance if you prefer, and join the live session from 4:15 PM onwards, when the discussion will begin.

13 November 2025, 15:30-17:30
Forum Digital Maker Space
Zoom Link: https://Universityofexeter.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U3qje1pdTiGcXB7WXtwyGg

Moderator:
Costantino Grasso, Assistant Professor in Law, University of Exeter

Panellists:

Maurizio Bianchini, Associate Professor of Business Law, University of Padova
John Christensen, Founder of the Tax Justice Network
Richard Christensen, Chart. Accountant and Former Head of Compliance
John Cioffi, Professor of Political Science, University of California, Riverside
Mihail Danov, Professor of Law, University of Exeter
Konstantinos Sergakis, Professor of Law, University of Exeter

Governance in Crisis: The Contentious Coexistence Between Corporations and Democracy

Corporations stand at a critical juncture, celebrated as a driver of wealth yet often implicated in serious social and environmental harms. This roundtable discussion moves beyond that dichotomy to question the very purpose and governance of the contemporary corporate form. Building on the core arguments from the debate “Capital, Capitalism, and the Capture of Democracy,” this event will explore the central conflict in modern corporate governance: the tension between capitalism-driven profit-maximization and corporate responsibility toward stakeholders, society, and the environment. The discussion will explore how this conflict extends beyond the boardroom to pose a direct challenge to democratic governance, with corporate interests risking overriding public interest and capturing the democratic process. The discussion will focus on the tangible outcomes of this tension and the reality of power imbalance, examining how corporate strategies may function as an “assault on the rule of law.” It will also address the urgent need for new models of corporate governance and accountability, considering how corporate purpose might be realigned with the public good.