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A new TYPros initiative is dedicated to exploring and fulfilling the political and governmental needs of Tulsa businesses.
John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller would be considered by many the consummate businessman. He amassed one of the largest fortunes in the history of the world, but, in so doing, he played a role in prompting the United States Congress to enact the Sherman Antitrust Act. Thus, in Rockefeller one finds a free-wheeling capitalist who consolidated wealth and power by destroying his competition, and who consequently forced the government to intervene and restore competition to the marketplace.
The dealings between Rockefeller and Congress at the turn of the twentieth century set the stage for what is now a highly complex business environment that struggles to find equilibrium between government regulation on the one hand and free market capitalism on the other. Every business decision made by today’s corporate executive weighs what is possible against what is permissible in an effort to succeed under an economic model of regulated capitalism.
The Business Development crew of Tulsa’s Young Professionals (TYPros) is in the process of developing a new subcrew – the Business Policy & Advocacy subcrew – which will be dedicated to exploring and fulfilling the legislative, administrative and other political and governmental needs of Tulsa businesses. The task is daunting. The political and governmental processes are complex and far from logical, and there will not be a simple, straightforward rubric for the subcrew to achieve its objectives, which in and of themselves will be difficult to define.
There will be those who advocate for keeping government out of business. There will be those who advocate for interjecting government into business. There will be those who advocate for government taking from business. There will be those who advocate for government giving to business. And there will be those – most, perhaps – advocating for that which suits their pleasure.
As the appointed leader of TYPros’ new Business Policy & Advocacy subcrew, I bear in mind that we are often divided over two sides of the same coin. Both Rockefeller and Congress found a means to control and rein in unruly industries. Rockefeller’s vehicle for imposing his will was a business enterprise, whereas that for Congress was a legislative enactment. Under both, there were those who prospered and those who despaired. Two sides to the same coin, with the only difference being that of perspective.
My point is this: regardless of which ideologies prevail and the degree of authority conferred on the government over business activities, someone will step in to fill any void in authority and power. Those who would otherwise be autonomous actors will be subject to the might of those who reign supreme over the business world. The only question left to us, then, is who is best entrusted with such power?
Author’s Note: For an interesting reading on the life and times of John D. Rockefeller, I recommend Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller by Ron Chernow. As a starting point for additional information on John D. Rockefeller, the Standard Oil Company and the Sherman Antitrust Act, search Wikipedia. To get involved with or to obtain more information on the Business Policy & Advocacy subcrew, email Jared Nelson.
