One of the most enduring images in the twentieth century is of a man standing in front of a tank in Tiananmen Square. Throughout the world, the image of "the tank man" has become a lasting representation of the desire for freedom. Who was this man was? What did he do? What happened to him and what has China done to prevent its youngest citizens from learning about the dreadful incident that created this image? Read this transcript about how China, a communist, dictator-led nation, is able to control the flow of information within its borders and how U.S. corporations are helping China bring about some free-market reforms while still quashing dissent. After reading the transcript, respond to the following prompts on the discussion board.
- Is there a responsibility for international corporations to be good corporate citizens? What does it mean to be a good corporate citizen?
- Is it the role of U.S. government to monitor the behavior of international corporations based out of the U.S.?
- Do you believe that the international organizations brought to testify before Congress should be considered accomplices of oppression?