Amgen's rollout of its Supplier Diversity and Supplier Sustainability Programs underscores a proactive approach toward supply chain ethics. By ensuring that their sourcing decisions positively impact communities and uphold human rights standards, Amgen distinguishes itself in its commitment to responsible business practices. This is a significant step away from business practices that may indirectly support authoritarian structures.

Responsible Sourcing | Amgen

CEO Robert Bradway's personal contributions to Republican congressional candidates and related PACs further emphasize Amgen’s executive engagement in political processes that favor authoritarian agendas. His actions underscore the influence of corporate leadership in shaping policies that can undermine democratic accountability.

Where Big Pharma’s campaign cash is flowing in this election

The statement also sets forth clear expectations for suppliers to adhere to strong ethical standards and human rights, ensuring that Amgen’s supply chain aligns with its anti‑authoritarian and pro‑worker values.

Human Rights Position Statement

Amgen has issued a detailed Human Rights Position Statement which reinforces its commitment to ethical business practices, including robust supplier management and adherence to labor rights. The statement highlights compliance with international human rights treaties, emphasizes non-discrimination, and sets standards for supplier conduct. This positions the company favorably in opposition to any form of authoritarian or fascist practices by integrating human rights principles into its operations.

Human Rights Position Statement

The statement clearly sets expectations for Amgen's suppliers, mandating compliance with ethical labor practices and explicitly rejecting forced, bonded, or involuntary labor. This not only minimizes risks of complicity in human rights abuses but also reinforces the company's commitment to a socially responsible supply chain, which is crucial in resisting broader oppressive and authoritarian practices.

Human Rights Position Statement

Amgen's political contributions via its PAC and trade association dues demonstrate a clear corporate effort to sway public policy in favor of its business interests. Although executed within legal frameworks and featuring high disclosure standards, such contributions support candidates and policies that typically prioritize corporate benefits over broad societal welfare. This behavior contributes to an environment where corporate power may indirectly undermine true democratic engagement and transparency.

Political Contributions | Amgen

Amgen’s management of its political contributions, including an employee-funded PAC and rigorous internal oversight, reflects a transparent approach to political engagement. By supporting candidates across the political spectrum, the company avoids aligning with overtly authoritarian or far‐right agendas. This balanced and regulated practice is viewed favorably from an anti-fascist perspective, as it minimizes the risk of using corporate influence to support extremist policies.

Political Contributions | Amgen

The report outlines significant internal measures such as mandatory annual training on the Code of Conduct, a business conduct hotline, and a whistleblower policy, all of which reinforce Amgen Canada’s commitment to upholding labor rights and human rights standards. These initiatives contribute positively by ensuring ethical labor practices within the company and its supply chain.

PDF Amgen Canada Report Under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act

The revolving door phenomenon is evident with a significant proportion of Amgen Inc's lobbyists previously holding government positions. This close connection between private corporate influence and public office heightens the risk of regulatory capture and the erosion of democratic norms.

Amgen Inc Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

The OpenSecrets profile shows Amgen’s continued lobbying efforts, which can contribute to undue corporate influence in policy making. Such activities are viewed negatively from an anti-fascist, pro-democracy perspective due to their potential to undermine public accountability and democratic processes.

Amgen Inc Profile: Lobbying • OpenSecrets

Amgen’s extensive disclosure of its political contributions for H2 2023 shows a commitment to legal compliance and transparency in its political engagement. Although corporate political spending can raise concerns about undue influence, the company's diversified support across various political organizations and adherence to regulatory standards denote a responsible, non-partisan approach without explicit support for far-right or authoritarian agendas.

PDF 2023 Political Contributions (July 1 December 31) - Amgen

The considerable lobbying expenditure by Amgen indicates a proactive effort to shape government policy, which aligns with patterns of corporate influence that can support authoritarian agendas. Such spending reinforces an environment where corporate money may unduly influence democratic processes.

Amgen Inc Lobbying Profile - OpenSecrets

Amgen’s operation of a Political Action Committee, as evidenced by the FEC overview page, underscores its engagement in political contributions. While the data does not indicate explicit support for authoritarian candidates, the use of corporate funds to influence politics raises concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding undue corporate influence on democratic processes.

AMGEN INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - committee overview

Amgen’s public commitment on human rights, as detailed in its Human Rights Commitment page, indicates a strong dedication to upholding ethical labor practices and the inherent dignity of individuals. This positive affirmation aligns with anti-authoritarian values by promoting respect for human rights and fair labor policies, which are crucial in countering oppressive practices.

Human Rights Commitment | Amgen

Amgen’s transparent disclosure of its political contributions and lobbying activities is a double-edged sword. While the clarity promotes accountability, its ongoing political engagement contributes to corporate influence that many anti-fascist groups argue can undercut democratic norms and enable subtle authoritarian practices.

Transparency Disclosures

Amgen’s adherence to federal and state laws by disclosing its lobbying activities and enforcing internal policies on political contributions shows a commitment to transparency and accountability in the political arena. The maintenance of a staff PAC further empowers individual political engagement in a manner consistent with democratic principles, garnering a modest positive score from an anti-fascist perspective.

Political Activities | Amgen

The enforced annual Code of Conduct training underscores Amgen's commitment to ethical business practices and accountability. By requiring all staff and associated workers to adhere to strict conduct standards, the company promotes a culture of integrity that helps protect marginalized communities and supports worker rights. This internal policy can be seen as a positive step towards fostering an ethical and socially responsible workplace.

Staff Code of Conduct

The acquisition would have further concentrated market power in the pharmaceutical industry, potentially elevating barriers to entry and promoting exclusionary practices characteristic of authoritarian economic consolidation.

Biopharmaceutical Giant Amgen to Settle FTC and State Challenges to its Horizon Therapeutics Acquisition

Amgen's comprehensive public statement demonstrates robust ethical supply chain practices by integrating strict supplier codes of conduct, third-party sustainability assessments, and mandatory training for compliance with labor and human rights standards. This proactive approach helps prevent modern slavery, aligning with progressive anti-authoritarian values.

PDF UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 Amgen Limited, Public Statement

The FTC has raised concerns that the acquisition would grant Amgen excessive economic and structural influence in the biotech sector by entrenching market monopolies. Such concentration of power can lead to practices that undermine competitive markets and potentially contribute to authoritarian economic dynamics.

Monopoly concerns push FTC to sue to block Amgen's more than $26B deal for Horizon

The Code emphasizes fair labor practices, non-discrimination, safe working conditions, and respect for human rights, thus promoting anti-fascist labor values and ensuring that suppliers uphold standards that protect marginalized groups.

Amgen Supplier Code of Conduct