In this groundbreaking book, Vivek Ramaswamy exposes the sham of corporate social responsibility and offers a new way to think about capitalism. He argues that while many people within corporations are truly committed to making a difference in the world, powerful incentives exist for executives and shareholders to cynically exploit these good intentions. This creates what Ramaswamy calls “Woke, Inc.,” where companies use progressive language and policies as window dressing to conceal their true motivations: profit maximization. With vivid case studies from Walmartto Goldman Sachs,Ramswamy shows how Woke, Inc. operates across industriesand countriesand why it is dangerous for society writ large. But he also provides an alternate vision-a model of capitalism based on meaningful stakeholder engagementrather than cynical exploitation.” Critical Praise “This book offers a provocative and timely challenge to the dominant.
For who is this book for ?
In Woke, Inc., Vivek Ramaswamy offers a scathing and much-needed critique of how corporationsuse progressive languageand policies as window dressing to conceal their true motivations:profit maximization. With vivid case studies from Walmartto Goldman Sachs,Ramswamy shows howWoke, Inc. operates across industriesand countriesand why it is dangerous for society writ large. But he also provides an alternate vision—a model of capitalism based on meaningful stakeholder engagementrather than cynical exploitation.” —Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All: The Elite Charade.
Pros :
- The book offers a fresh perspective on the role of corporations in society.
- Vivek Ramaswamy provides clear and compelling evidence for his argument.
- The book is well written and easy to read.
Cons :
- 1. Vivek Ramaswamy might be preaching to the choir
- people who are already interested in social justice
- 2. The book may be a little dense for some readers
- 3. It could make people feel guilty or uncomfortable
Learn more about the author
Vivek Ramaswamy is a Fellow at the Yale Corporation and a venture capitalist.He was previously an associate professor of law at Duke Law School, where he founded and directed the Center for Innovation Policy.
Reader Reviews
“In Woke, Inc., Vivek Ramaswamy provides a critical perspective on the role of corporations in society. He argues that while many people within corporations are truly committed to making a difference in the world, powerful incentives exist for executives and shareholders to cynically exploit these good intentions. This creates what Ramaswamy calls “
“Thoroughly researched and well-written, Ramaswamy’s Woke, Inc. is an important contribution to the literature on corporate social responsibility.”
“Woke, Inc. is an important and timely book that exposes the sham of corporate social responsibility and offers a new way to think about capitalism.”
“Insightful and well-researched, Vivek Ramaswamy’s Woke, Inc. sheds light on the problematic trend of corporations using social justice initiatives to cover up their true motives: profit maximization. With case studies ranging from Walmart to Goldman Sachs, Ramaswamy convincingly demonstrates how ‘Woke, Inc.’ harms both society and capitalism as a whole. Yet he also provides a hopeful alternate vision based on meaningful stakeholder engagement rather than cynical exploitation.”