> Therefore, the provision is to maximize value. It is the basic responsibility of anyone running a public company. Of course this is all fuzzy and you do have a lot of leeway in justifying expenses/investments, but the principle remains.

And this is where the law can step in. The shareholders can unite and take action. Or the gov can atep in. For example, the state of NY is going after Exxon Mobile for fraud, as related to EM's lack of disclosure over their role in climate change.