Insights

As investors increasingly focus on systemic risks, few risks are as consequential as the weakening of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

At Third Side Strategies, we focus on providing support to companies, boards, and investors in making the hard decisions about when and how their companies engage in the public sphere. The best way to understand how to implement what we call corporate political responsibility governance is to see what it looks like in real life. That is why we are so fortunate to have been able to sit down with Jonathan Johnson, former Chairman and CEO of Overstock, active board member, and former Utah gubernatorial candidate, to talk about his experiences putting the third side into action.

A new analysis of 2025 corporate political giving reveals unprecedented shifts across the S&P 1500—raising fresh questions for companies navigating governance, influence, and emerging norms.

Corporate advocacy can advance important causes - but also invite backlash. Joseph Neeley explores why principled restraint and trust-building are essential when businesses engage in political influence.

Corporate political engagement is both necessary and dangerous—shaping democracy, markets, and society. Michael Lenox explores the “dark arts” of strategy and calls for legitimacy, transparency, accountability, and responsibility.

Learn how to say "no" without conflict — and strengthen your company’s values in the process. Saying No to Empower Your Yes offers a practical, principled approach to corporate responsibility.

Explores practical steps leaders can take to examine their trade association affiliations and drive alignment across industries and institutions. A great read for boards, legal, and government affairs leaders.

Should business stay quiet on climate? Or is responsible decarbonization lobbying a civic duty? Explore why climate change may be the rare case that calls for more, not less, political engagement.

This summary outlines the key points and resources shared during the Aspen Business & Society Summit Roundtable on July 9, 2025. It includes only remarks by the presenter.

Business executives often wield significant social and political power, and can undermine democratic governance when they pursue their particular view of what is right or good for society.