The Common Good
An important part of Servant-Leadership is reaching a consensus which best serves the common good. In fact, one of our core courses in the Master's program is entitled The Common Good.
A recent headline got me thinking about this. The City of New Orleans has decided to launch a free wireless internet network across the entire city. This is the first time a city or municipality of this size has offered such a service. They believe that this will not only give a boost to the economy, but will help those wanting to come back who still do not have telephone and internet service due to washed out telephone lines.
Does this seem like a good idea? Is this a good way to reach out to residents of the Big Easy and do the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people? Is this program hurting anyone in the process?
There are some obvious business concerns here and, while not an expert in economics and business law, some things stand out: Is it the role of city government to be offering these sorts of services?; What about government regulations of the telephone/cable/internet companies?; and is this just taxpayer-funded (read: government) competition? I'm sure there are many other questions you can come up with as well.
Using a strict utilitarian ideal in defining the common good, this seems like a great opportunity for the residents of New Orleans. Yet at least one company is not happy.......
It seems BellSouth was ready to donate a damaged building to the city for use by the police force. And when they got word of the New Orleans wireless plan, they quickly rescinded the offer. At least that is the way city officials tell it. BellSouth disputed this version of the story and have since said that they are still negotiating the terms of the donation.
What are your thoughts? Is this a good use of taxpayer monies? Does this infringement on BellSouth's business negate the positive impact that this service could have for the residents?
What would you do if you were BellSouth and you lost this business? Would you just shrug your shoulders and say that since it is such a great benefit for people that you don't mind?
What if you were the City of New Orleans? Would you back down in the face of a potential lawsuit or stand your ground?
Nobody said that servant-leadership decisions were easy!
A recent headline got me thinking about this. The City of New Orleans has decided to launch a free wireless internet network across the entire city. This is the first time a city or municipality of this size has offered such a service. They believe that this will not only give a boost to the economy, but will help those wanting to come back who still do not have telephone and internet service due to washed out telephone lines.
Does this seem like a good idea? Is this a good way to reach out to residents of the Big Easy and do the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people? Is this program hurting anyone in the process?
There are some obvious business concerns here and, while not an expert in economics and business law, some things stand out: Is it the role of city government to be offering these sorts of services?; What about government regulations of the telephone/cable/internet companies?; and is this just taxpayer-funded (read: government) competition? I'm sure there are many other questions you can come up with as well.
Using a strict utilitarian ideal in defining the common good, this seems like a great opportunity for the residents of New Orleans. Yet at least one company is not happy.......
It seems BellSouth was ready to donate a damaged building to the city for use by the police force. And when they got word of the New Orleans wireless plan, they quickly rescinded the offer. At least that is the way city officials tell it. BellSouth disputed this version of the story and have since said that they are still negotiating the terms of the donation.
What are your thoughts? Is this a good use of taxpayer monies? Does this infringement on BellSouth's business negate the positive impact that this service could have for the residents?
What would you do if you were BellSouth and you lost this business? Would you just shrug your shoulders and say that since it is such a great benefit for people that you don't mind?
What if you were the City of New Orleans? Would you back down in the face of a potential lawsuit or stand your ground?
Nobody said that servant-leadership decisions were easy!
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