Considerations on socially responsible business within contexts of inequality and exclusion

Abstract

In Brazil, socially-responsible business has been encouraged by the state. Businesses today must confront ethical challenges regarding their economic, social and environmental dimensions and must relate to governments and communities, even as a way of attaining social legitimacy. However, we must also be aware that it has become common for public powers to appeal to the business sector as a source of financial assistance. The cases we have analyzed – the “Mais Vida” Project developed by the Unilever company in Araçoiaba (PE) and the work done around the Brucutu Mine in São Gonçalo do Rio Baixo (MG) by the Vale do Rio Doce company – were chosen because of the partnerships they have established. Keywords: social responsibility of business, legal obligations, partnerships, community, public power.