Responsible shareholding in practice

This chapter looks at three contexts in which the actions of shareholders are frequently discussed and assesses each in terms of the idea of responsibility outlined in chapter 3. The three areas are: shareholder activism, including analysis of shareholder passivity and apathy; stewardship; and shareholder litigation, with a focus on shareholder class actions. The chapter argues that while the idea of shareholders responsibility is not often raised explicitly, each of these areas of activity permits shareholders to meet the expectations of responsibility. Further each of these types of shareholder activity take place within existing corporate law parameters.