Executive Pay

This question transcends into business and politics and lends to many ethical and socio-economical questions.

A direct result of rising executive pay is a larger inequality gap. During the covid pandemic, we've seen several companies earn decreasing profits, causing a reduction in headcount yet raising their executive's compensation. During this time, we must acknowledge that executive responsibility and the need for leadership were likely, at an all-time high. There is a case to be made for increasing executive pay. However, these pay increases emphatically contribute to wealth inequality, especially when paired with simultaneous company layoffs. I believe that the increasing inequity gap is both an ethical issue and a long-term vulnerability for the US.

But is government regulation of executive pay appropriate?

Yes, it is, but it will be decades before any significant policy changes occur. Imagine mirroring the path environmental sustainability regulations took- no real progress until we face critical mass. I hypothesize that our country will better understand and safeguard against the inequality gap in the future, and one component of that safeguarding is an executive pay cap.

Submitted 4/17/22