Book Forum 

# *The Case for Shareholder Capitalism*

### *How the Pursuit of Profit Benefits All* 

Published By Cato Institute • 2023 

##### Watch the Event 

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Date and Time 

January 11, 2024 12 - 1:15 PM EST 

Location 

Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 

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##### Featuring 

![R. David McLean portrait](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-12/r-david-mclean-cropped.png?itok=SrybMFbg) 

R. David McLean 

William G. Droms Professor of Finance, Georgetown University

![Edward Rock portrait](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-12/edward-b-rock-portrait-cropped.png?itok=Zs1wY-vx) 

Edward Rock 

Martin Lipton Professor of Law, New York University School of Law

[![Norbert Michel Cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-01/norbert-m-cropped.jpg?itok=8WIx97Dk)](/people/norbert-michel) 

[Norbert J. Michel](/people/norbert-michel)

Vice President and Director, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/norbertjmichel) 

At its essence, shareholder capitalism is a means for mutually beneficial trade. It fosters specialization, fuels innovation, and propels economic growth. While shareholder capitalism is a central theme in Finance 101 courses, it is increasingly criticized, especially with the popularization of sustainability, ESG investing, and stakeholder capitalism.

In this engaging new book, author David McLean, the William G. Droms Professor of Finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, explains how shareholder capitalism benefits all. Edward Rock, the Martin Lipton Professor of Law at New York University School of Law and the codirector of the university’s Institute for Corporate Governance & Finance, will join McLean for a lively discussion on the nature of shareholder capitalism and its role in society. Norbert Michel, vice president and director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, will moderate the discussion.

**Lunch to follow**

![The Case for Shareholder Capitalism cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2023-12/the-case-for-shareholder-capitalism.jpeg?itok=OEuXcH8H) 

##### Featured Book 

### *[The Case for Shareholder Capitalism](https://www.cato.org/books/case-shareholder-capitalism)*

Unlock the power of shareholder capitalism—a system that transcends zero-sum games and Wall Street stereotypes. In its essence, shareholder capitalism enables mutually beneficial trade, a concept ingrained in our human history for over 300,000 years. This approach fosters specialization, fuels innovation, and propels economic growth.

[Get the Book](https://www.cato.org/books/case-shareholder-capitalism) 

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