Real Life Scandal: Volkswagen Emissions Scandal
As I mentioned in class earlier this week,you will need to prepare for the fol lowingthree questions. On the day of the mid-term, you will get two questions and answer them by writing two 500 word essays.Since you won't know in advance which two questions you'll get,it's important that you prepare for all three of them:
1. Research a real-life scandal and write an essay about it to address the following questions:What makes it a scandal? How well is the development of the scandal explained by the model of scandalization that Greer and Mclaughlin delineates,i.e.Latency --- Activation --- Reaction --
Amplification --- Accountability?
2. Research a real-life scandal and write an essay about it to address one or more of the followingquestions: What consequences does the scandal have (or might have) for the participants involved? Does it have any institutional impact? If yes, describe it. What social impact might it have? How does it affect you as a member of the consuming public, if applicable? The essay should include a half-page description of the scandal in the introduction.
3. Many scholars have been tryingto understand what factors led to the rise of political scandals in the past half century.Thompson (2000),Castells (2009), and Williams and Carpini (2004) are just some examples. Pick TWO readings from the three and write an essay comparing what they have to say about the underlyingcauses for the proliferation of political scandals,focusing on the questions of what common grounds they share,and how they diverge.
For each essay,at least two academic sources should be cited.For essays based on research of a real-life scandal, you may find it necessary to cite non-academic sources as well (news reports,magazine stories, social media posts, YouTube videos,etc.)
Understanding Scandals
Author's Name
The Institutional Affiliation
Course Number and Name
Instructor Name
Assignment Due Date
Answer 1
This essay examines the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal, also known as "Dieselgate," following the five stages described by Greer and McLaughlin: Latency, Activation, Reaction, Amplification, and Accountability (Greer & McLaughlin, 2017):
Phase 0: Pursuit of Scandals
Journalists and governing organizations frequently examined the car industry for its effects on the environment, compliance with emission rules, and the validity of its statements even before the crisis broke. The media and regulatory organizations are crucial when identifying and validating possible scandals.
Stage 1: Latency
Dieselgate's early violations, which involved using software to modify emissions during testing to make them appear compliant with EPA rules, took place covertly. The clandestine wrongdoings were known to individuals within Volkswagen's internal ranks, from engineers to executives, who actively allocated resources to conceal them (Wood, Rose & Thompson, 2019). Whistleblowers and internal opponents were purportedly silenced, and the first impact of rumors regarding the anomalies in emissions data on public opinion and regulatory action was minimal.
Stage 2: Activation
According to Jacobs and Singhal (2020), the EPA publicly revealed the gap between the laboratory and the pollution levels of Volkswagen diesel vehicles, igniting the scandal. This activation functioned as a turning point, wherein previously hidden knowledge transformed into a widely known scandal through endorsement by mainstream media, thus acquiring the status of "official" knowledge. Thus, the media confirmed its crucial role in transforming dormant infractions into activated controversies, in line with Greer and McLaughlin's paradigm.
Stage 3: Reaction
The scandal's immediate response was complex and widespread. Volkswagen, the implicated entity, encountered significant criticism from consumers, regulatory authorities, and the media. The dynamic of Trial by Media (TBM) was evident, with media sources worldwide casting doubt, igniting popular indignation, and effectively indicting Volkswagen in the court of public opinion. TBM offered a platform for populist justice, notwithstanding the possibility of being compromised by assumed guilt and swaying public and government opinions.
Stage 4: Amplification
Investigations uncovered larger institutional structures and procedures that enabled the scandal, which amplified the effect. The emissions cheating by Volkswagen was not limited to individual actors but rather was intertwined with broader organizational and industry practices. This implicates the institution itself as being systematically deceptive and unethical. As the scandal grew, it sparked discussions about regulatory processes, compliance, and corporate morality within the automotive industry.
Stage 5: Accountability
The accountability stage demonstrated that the crisis had spread from an individual to an institutional level, as some Volkswagen employees were held accountable while the company as a whole also suffered severe financial and brand harm (Brown & Peterson, 2022). Top executives left, like CEO Martin Winterkorn, lawsuits were filed, and the corporation was hit with huge fines and compensation claims.
The Greer and McLaughlin model offers a logical framework to comprehend the development and effects of the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal via the prism of the scandal. The stages outlined in this analysis illustrate a methodical progression, showcasing how covert violations, when set in motion and magnified by media and public response, can ultimately necessitate institutional responsibility. The Dieselgate scandal is a prime example of how media and public scrutiny can hold institutions accountable and magnify the effects of scandals that affect individuals, businesses, or even an entire industry. This complete analysis of the emergence of an institutional scandal is made possible by carefully examining its various stages.
Answer 2
This essay examines the Enron scandal, one of the biggest business scandals in history, and explores its different ramifications and effects. Enron, a renowned energy corporation recognized for its innovative practices and financial success, became embroiled in a significant scandal that exposed its deceptive financial practices. These practices used special purpose entities (SPEs) to hide debt and artificially boost profits, misleading the perception of financial stability and expansion. Rangapur, Wang, and Shu (2023) explore the 2001 Enron affair permeated the economic, institutional, and social sectors, prompting a careful examination of its many effects.
Consequences for Involved Participants
Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, two of Enron's top executives, were subject to harsh legal ramifications (Walenta, 2020). Lay and Skilling were found guilty, with Lay passing away before serving his sentence, while Skilling served a substantial time in prison. Numerous workers experienced adverse effects, including those not participating in the evil deeds. In addition to experiencing job losses, numerous individuals also suffered the complete loss of their life savings, which were frequently invested in Enron stock through retirement plans after the bankruptcy of Enron. The auditors, Arthur Andersen, one of the "Big Five" accounting firms, suffered irreparable staining of reputation, followed by dissolution, illustrative of how being involved in scandal sparked vast, diverse effects.
Institutional Impact
Enron has significantly impacted institutional dynamics, notably in monitoring and regulation. The scandal was a driving force for implementing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SO...