There is a widely held view that businesses must adopt a new conception of their mission and conduct, by endorsing and implementing ‘corporate social responsibility’. David Henderson argues that now, as in the past, the primary role of business is to act as a vehicle for economic progress. If we ask businesses to achieve broader social goals, we risk undermining the very system in which business activity leads to opportunity and prosperity.

Dr David Henderson was formerly head of the Economics and Statistics Department of the OECD and is now an independent author and consultant.