Analyzing Business Ethics in Two Movies - Wall Street and Election - Essay Example

Name Professor Course Title Date Business Ethics The following essay aims at analyzing business ethics in two movies; Wall Street (Stone 1987) and Election (Payne, 1999). These movies involve issues to do with business ethics and theories. Wall Street Wall Street is a movie based on the financial industry specifically stock trading and how the American business men and women go to any extent to become wealthy and prosperous (Cox 1). It features two main characters including Bud Fox and Gordon Gekko. There are numerous ethical issues that face both Fox and Gekko. Fox is faced with an ethical dilemma after meeting with Gekko who requires him to do get inside information about a company that, which is considered illegal. Fox’s ambition to become successful and his dream of becoming wealthy tends to create a dilemma once he understand that he may be required to deal in illegal activities to accomplish his desires (Cox 1). Fox then makes a decision to be unethical by sharing confidential information with Gekko. The overall ethical issue is making a decision to earn millions or sticking with his moral beliefs and values by walking away from the deal. This marks the beginning of a new relationship and association between the two characters that forces Bud, an ethical person, to commit immoral and unethical acts (Cox 1). This illustrates Fox’s ethical failings by continuing to deal in illegal activities to aquire millions. However, his ethical strength is illustrated once he realizes that Gekko plans to liquidate Blue Star Airlines to make quick profit at the expense of other employees, shareholders, and stakeholders. He helps in investigations to nab Gekko and his illegal doings. Gekko is also portrayed as an unethical person from the beginning and all through the movie. Gekko’s moral values are broken as he is a greedy man who focuses on making quick and big profits by doing anything possible including unethical and immoral business acts (Guerrera 1). Gekko uses inside information acquired illegally to buy shares and then sell them at a higher price as well as planning to liquidate a company to make quick profits at the expense of company employees. All through the movie, Gekko is portrayed only in the context of ethical failings as he fails to use his moral beliefs at any one time and act ethically. Wall Street has impacted the American culture of the financial industry in numerous ways. Even though the movie was intended to illustrate the dangers and underlying of the capitalism and the financial industry, most fans seemed to believe in the idea of rags-to-riches (Guerrera 1). This is based on Fox’s ability to be rich through illegal trading activities. People embrace the culture of becoming rich quickly. Nonetheless, the movie portrayed a turning point in the financial industry. The depiction of the financial industry at that time was based on illegal dealings in company stocks (Guerrera 1). However, the industry has changed by making finance about value and relationships. Companies are now more ethical in numerous ways such as increased interests for sustainability and stakeholders rather than just earning quick profits. Election (Payne 1999) Election is a movie directed by Payne that centers on a high school election and the different activities and relationships that surround the characters and the election. The main theme of the movie is based on increased unethical behaviors and relationships (Booth 1). The first example of unethical behavior is portrayed by Dave who seduces Tracy and develops an affair despite being married to his wife Linda. Cheating on one’s spouse is considered immoral since it goes against one’s belief. Again, Jim also acts immorally by convincing Paul to run for presidency based on Tracy’s remarks about attempting to seduce her into a relationship. Another example is when Tracy voluntarily destroys Paul’s campaign posters and lies about it inform of his teacher. This is an unethical behavior since her actions were based on anger rather than moral beliefs or values. Tracy Flick bothers Jim based on him being friends with Dave who was her former spouse and had seduced her into an affair. This explains the increased show of disgust and resentment towards Jim (Booth 1). Nonetheless, Jim was not justified in behaving the way he does towards Tracy. His behavior is unethical because it cannot be morally justified. All the times Jim potted to frustrate Tracy based on her remarks were unethical. All his actions are only geared towards frustrating or ensuring that her goals or objectives are not accomplished. Moreover, his affair with Linda only illustrates of his unethical behavior as he cheats on his wife. Even up to the end he deliberately throws away two of Tracy’s votes so as to ensure she does not become president of the student council. Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Tracy Flick in the film has resulted in the use of 'Tracy Flick' as a description for the behaviors of certain women in politics, business, and popular culture. One of the examples of such women is Kirsten Gillibrand who was appointed to the U.S Senate (Dreier and Auerbach 1). The characterization is fair given that Gillibrand shares some personal values and beliefs similar to Tracy Flick. This includes being overachieving, having unquenchable ambition, and the personal belief in self-importance (Dreier and Auerbach 1). Nonetheless, the standards are very different for women and men as men are portrayed as heroes or successful people if they behave in a similar manner. This is based on the gender believes that are handed down into personal or communal values of the society. In conclusion, both films illustrate increased ethical dilemmas from where a character has to make a choice to deal in unethical, unfair, or dishonest actions or trust in their moral, ethical, and personal values and avoid such actions. Nonetheless, the main difference is that Wall Street portrays ethical issues in the business context, while Election portrays ethics in the political and school context. Again, it is clear that from both movies those personal values are of great importance in business ethics. Another major similarity is in the ethical theories illustrated in both movies such as the Kantian Theory that emphasizes on humans reason, freedom, and intentions. Works Cited Dreier, Hannah and Auerbach, Lauren. Tracy Flick returns: Gillibrand is latest female politician to be compared to film character. Media Matters Organization, 2009. Web. 7 Oct. 2015. Booth, Paul. ‘Election’ poses debate over morals, ethics. Garden Island, 2011. Web. 7 Oct. 2015. Guerrera, Francesco. How ‘Wall Street’ changed Wall Street. Film & Television, 2010. Web. 7 Oct. 2015. Cox, Courtney. Greed isn’t Good, it’s Great: A Look at Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” (1987). The Observer, 2010. Web. . 7 Oct. 2015. Read More