Case Study1.1: Slavery in the Chocolate Industry


 1. What are the systemic, corporate, and individual ethical issues raised by this case?

2. In your view, is the kind of child slavery discussed in this caseabsolutely wrong no matter what, or is it only relatively wrong(i.e., if one happens to live in a society such as ours that dis-

approves of child slavery)? Explain your view and why you hold it.

3. Who shares in the moral responsibility for the slavery occurringin the chocolate industry?

4. Consider the bill that Representative Engel and Senator Harkinattempted to enact into a law, but which never became a lawbecause of the lobbying efforts of the chocolate companies.What does this incident show about the view that to be ethical it is enough for businesspeople to follow the law”?