Paper Summary:

This paper reviews Oliver Stone's 1987 movie "Wall Street" about Gordon Gekko, the financial wheeler-dealer giant who represents the mood of the times, when financial hustlers made fortunes ruthlessly buying and selling company stocks and controlling markets, often by unscrupulous means. In particular it examines the ethical principles that are violated as related to business. It analyzes how greed is presented as part of American business and how Buddy (Gekkos protegee) reacts and deals with the issues of ethics and how his view of greed and ethics evolves and changes throughout the film.

From the Paper:

"Lured into the lair by Gekko's enthusiasm and "take no prisoners" attitude, Bud is seduced by success, where money buys power and power buys the magical kingdom of one's creation, the elite of the elite. He wants a kingdom of his own, and Gekko is his ticket. When Gekko approaches him to spy on a financial peer, Bud counters, but.."I could lose my license. If the SEC found out, I could go to jail. It's inside information, isn't it" (Stone 1987)" Gekko reminds him of the inside tip Bud had given him about the airline company his father works for and explains that it is information he wants from Bud, nothing else. Unless Bud is willing to go the distance to get it for him, then Gekko has no use for him. Bud hesitates, but not for long. He reasons that this is justified, a means to an end, the end being information to gain the edge."

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