The Gentleman`s Agreement

A report by the U.S. House of Representatives detailing its United States Steel Corporation investigation stated that in the 1890s there were two general types of associations or bulk consolidations between steel and ferrous interests in which different groups owned ownership, as well as a high degree of independence: the “pool” and the “Gentleman`s Agreement.” [5] The latter type lacked a formal organisation to regulate production or prices or forfeiture rules in the event of infringement. [5] The effectiveness of the agreement relied on members to meet informal commitments. [5] In the automotive industry, Japanese manufacturers have agreed that no standard vehicle would have more than 276 hp (206 kW; 280 hp); The agreement ended in 2005. [6] German manufacturers limit the maximum speed of high-performance sedans (berlines) and breaks to 250 km/h. [7] [9] When the Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle exceeded 310 km/h in 1999, fears of a European ban or regulatory intervention led Japanese and European manufacturers to limit to 300 km/h at the end of 1999[10] See list of the fastest series bikes. A gentleman`s agreement, which is rather a point of honour and etiquette, relies on the indulgence of two or more parties for the performance of pronounced or unspoken undertakings. Unlike a binding contract or a legal agreement, there is no legal remedy for violation of a gentlemen`s agreement. The end result may, in many cases, be higher cost or lower quality products for consumers. Worse, a gentlemen`s agreement can be used as a means of promoting discriminatory practices, as in a “network of old boys.” A gentlemen`s agreement, or gentleman`s agreement, is an informal and legally non-binding agreement between two or more parties. It is usually oral, but it can be written or simply understood as part of a tacit agreement by convention or by mutually beneficial label. The essence of a gentlemen`s agreement is that it depends on the honour of the parties for its achievement, rather than being enforceable in one way or another.

It differs from a legal agreement or a contract. In the worst case scenario, a gentlemen`s agreement can be entered into to practice anti-competitive practices such as pricing or trade quotas. Since a gentlemen`s agreement is tacit – which is not subject to the document as a binding legal treaty – it can be used to create and enforce illegal rules. Despite their informal nature, the violation of a gentlemen`s agreement could have negative consequences on trade relations if a party decides not to keep its promise. A gentlemen`s agreement can also be described as a “gentleman`s agreement” and can be completed by a handshake or not. Until Jackie Robinson was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, a gentlemen`s agreement ensured that African-American players were excluded from organized baseball. [18] The increase in Japanese immigration, in part to replace excluded Chinese agricultural workers, has met with concerted opposition in California. To appease Californians and avoid an open break with Japan`s emerging world power, President Theodore Roosevelt negotiated the diplomatic agreement in which the Japanese government took on the responsibility of drastically limiting Japanese immigration, especially that of workers, so that Japanese children could continue to attend integrated schools on the West Coast. However, family migration could continue, as Japanese men, with sufficient savings, could bring wives through arranged marriages (“pictured wives”), their parents and minor children.

Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.