Corporations as Empire

I liked the way Marie connected concepts of Empire with the idea of McDonalds to illustrate aspects of globalization. I think that such large, globally recognized corporate chains might come to stand in for any previous imperialist state. While imperialism may be over, corporations remain to exploit third world nations and rule the lives of people around the globe. This is why I believe the concept of Empire is represented in trans-national corporations. Empire is a form of global sovereignty, “decentered and deterritorializeing apparatus of rule that progressively incorporates the entire global realm within its open, expanding frontiers” (xii). If global sovereignty is Empire, it is easy to see that the most predominant global sovereignty is that of corporations. Corporations such as McDonalds use brand identity to unite people in a global society. As previous distinctions of cultures and peoples (such as language, customs, or national pride) disappear, global brand identities remain.

Hardt and Negri use four characteristics of Empire in their introduction that apply particularly well to the idea of corporations as a metaphor for Empire. I will stick with Marie’s example of the McDonalds Corporation to demonstrate the idea. First, Empire has no territorial boundaries. Corporations exemplify the processes of globalization. With various stages of production located around the world, no one country can be self-dependent. McDonalds will establish a chain in any location around the globe, no matter what the culture, customs, etc., and produces products in various locations around the globe. Second Empire presents itself as outside of history or at the end of history. This one is a bit trickier but McDonalds is seen as an inevitable chain of fast food restaurants. It is just assumed there will be one, wherever you go, and that it will always be there or has been there for a very long time. Third, Empire creates its world, seeking to “directly rule over human nature” (xv). Some might argue that McDonalds tries to “rule over human nature” by the addictiveness of their food, and by the promise of comfort and familiarity when traveling abroad. The brand recognition creates patterns of behaviours. Fourth Empire always tries to maintain peace, even when it may be bathed in blood. Often the means of producing any product within a global society are not carefully examined. The production of beef for McDonalds takes a great environmental toll on nature and humans. We often do not see the deaths that happen because of actions taken along the line of production. This can often have devastating effects on the people living in the areas where production is taking place. Thus in my opinion, corporations can be seen as an excellent representation of what Hardt and Negri term Empire.