In Chapter 9 the idea of ‘personal social responsibility’ was discussed and it was noted that some commentators have argued for personal social responsibility—or, as it has also been called, corporate stakeholder responsibility—on the grounds that expecting corporate social responsibility becomes a way of ‘passing the buck’—evading personal responsibility for doing the ‘right thing’. A quote from Chandler (2010) was provided in which he states: Let’s get beyond the idea that firms are inherently evil. Such a perspective does not absolve firms of responsibility, but recognises that forprofit organizations add considerable social value in producing products and services that are in demand. It also recognizes that the relationship between firms and society is symbiotic and, as a result, the responsibility to ensure social responsible outcomes is shared. In the same way that we deserve the politicians we vote for, we also deserve the companies we purchase from.

Explain how you think critical accounting theorists might respond to the above quote from Chandler (2010).