Overview
The 1987 movie Wall Street is generally about the rise and fall of a corporate raider and stockbroker named Gordon Gekko. Gekko is a highly successful entrepreneur who rose to the top of his field by manipulating the stock market, strong-arming businesses, and looking for insider trading opportunities. Through his success, Gekko becomes a symbol of unchecked ambition and greed that run rampant in the corporate world of Wall Street.
Interesting Entrepreneurship
One aspect of entrepreneurship in this movie that is interesting is the use of unethical and illegal tactics in order to get ahead in the business world. Gekko uses insider information and illegal trading strategies as part of his business tactics. It is interesting because Gekko is seen as a master of his craft, yet he is doing things that would normally be considered foul play in the world of business. With the wealth that Gekko gets from his questionable tactics, he is able to solidify his place among the Wall Street elite and elevate his status as a financial mogul.
This aspect of entrepreneurship affects society by sending the message that it is possible to be successful without playing by society’s rules. While some may think that it is inspiring to see someone like Gekko be able to make millions of dollars without playing by the ethical guidelines, it sends a message that it is possible to use unethical tactics in order to get ahead. This false idea of success can lead to people making questionable decisions in their own lives in order to get ahead.
Society and Entrepreneurship
Society responds to this aspect of entrepreneurship in a few different ways. On the one hand, people may be envious of Gekko’s success and feel that they should use his tactics in order to get ahead in the business world. On the other hand, society also generally frowns upon these tactics and tries to punish those who are caught breaking the law. This is seen in the movie when Gekko is arrested and sent to prison for his illegal activity, although he still manages to come out on top.
The interaction between this aspect of entrepreneurship and society is a balancing act between the legal and ethical boundaries that society sets up and the temptation to take shortcuts in order to get ahead. People may be enticed to emulate Gekko’s success and overlook the moral implications of his tactics in order to become rich and powerful like he is. On the other hand, society seeks to uphold the law and punish those who attempt to skirt the ethical guidelines in order to get ahead. This complex interaction between the two forces creates a difficult environment for those who are looking to use these tactics in order to get ahead.
Conclusion
Overall, the movie Wall Street shows an interesting example of the consequences of unethical and illegal tactics in the business world. While Gekko personally succeeds from his questionable actions, it sends a message to society that people can get away with breaking the rules and get rich. At the same time, society also seeks to uphold the law and punish those who break it in order to prevent the spread of this type of behavior.