Anti-Corporate

This category includes websites that challenge the policies and practices of large institutions and corporations, especially those which produce unsafe products, exploit native peoples, or destroy the environment. Unfortunately, for political reasons the regulations intended to curb these practices haven't always been properly enforced. Watchdog groups can point out the problems but usually don't have any way to solve them other than the pressure of public opinion, which in many cases isn't effective.

Not only do large corporations often try to evade regulations, they sometimes even try to cheat people. Dishonest practices are particularly common in the financial industry. Fraud in this sector harms thousands of Americans every year, and several times has even brought about an economic crisis and subsequent recession that affected everyone in the country. Another type of corporate crime occurs when businesses over-charge for work done under government contracts. This kind of corruption is very common in the defense industry.

Child Labor Coalition - This group is devoted to bringing an end to the exploitation of children in the workplace. It tries to influence public policy on child labor issues by working for an increased understanding of the impact of work on children's health, quality of their lives, and their growth into adulthood, as well as to increase recognition of how the exploitation of child labor promotes poverty and lack of proper educational opportunities. Although the problem is especially common in undeveloped countries, the companies responsible for it are often based in the most advanced countries. One action which has proven to be effective, at least in some cases, is to organize boycotts of retail products manufactured in plants that employ children.

Pay-Equity.org - This organization strives to obtain equal pay and better working conditions for the millions of women and minorities in the world's work forces. Founded in 1979, it is a coalition of women's and civil rights organizations, as well as individuals, all working together to eliminate sex- and race-based wage discrimination in pay and other benefits. It publicizes its campaign for wage equality by publishing annual reports on pay gaps between different groups, and how these gaps have changed over time.

Green Consumer Guide - This site advises consumers on how to buy products manufactured with environmentally-friendly methods and how to avoid products of companies that pollute and poison the environment, or force their employees to work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. It also tries to promote consumer products that use less energy and produce less pollution.

Environmental Defense - Founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, this organization has more than half a million members. To achieve its goals, it tries to work with businesses and communities in a cooperative way, to find constructive solutions for real problems. Its staff includes numerous professional biologists, physicists, and chemists. The organization is devoted to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations, and believes that these rights include access to clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and flourishing natural ecosystems.

National Whistleblower Center - The National Whistleblower Center is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to helping whistleblowers. Since 1988, the Center has used whistleblowers' disclosures to improve environmental protection, nuclear safety, and corporate accountability. It has also helped reduce the possibility that someone who reports a problem could lose his or her job.

Rain Forest Action Network - This organization campaigns to protect endangered forests and the rights of indigenous peoples all over the world. To this end, it also works to stop destructive actions of large corporations in mining, tree-cutting, and development activities, and in the exploitation of the people and natural resources of less-developed countries. Members of the organization believe that a sustainable world can be realized in our lifetime, and that bold aggressive action has to be taken immediately to leave a safe and secure world for future generations. Its campaigns attempt to use public opinion and consumer pressure against any corporation that refuses to adopt responsible environmental policies.

Z Communications - ZNet provides valuable resources for activists working in many different fields. Various sections focus on certain areas of the world, such as Mideast Watch, or on certain subjects, such as economics and gender. The site contains numerous articles and essays that can be useful to activists.