Is the ASX a democracy?

Our ASX is more democratic than you think

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There are many reasons I love the ASX, but one of the most fundamental is its democratic values. If this sounds a little strange, let me explain. For most companies, there exists a principle where the amount of capital you have invested in a public stock is in equal proportion to your voting power. It's the capitalists' version of 'one vote, one value'. If you own 10% of a company's shares, let's say Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), this will roughly translate into 10% of the voting power for that company (not to mention a $14 billion fortune).

This may seem like common sense, but this is not a common practice in other stock markets around the world. The ASX has strict rules on what a company's share structure must look like if it is to trade on its exchange, and this involves following the 'one vote, one value' principle. I understand there are some exceptions for agricultural companies, but for the most part, ASX companies follow this principle.

As some more internationally active investors out there may have noticed, if you wish to reach across the Pacific and buy some shares in Alphabet Inc. (Google) which is listed on the NASDAQ, you have two choices – GOOGL shares (also known as Class A) and GOOG shares (Class C).

What's the difference?

GOOGL shares get one vote per share (sounds reasonable) but GOOG shares get… no vote. That's right – GOOG shareholders are to be seen and not heard. It gets better: there is a third type of Alphabet share, but it's one that no one can buy publicly – Class B shares. Class B Alphabet shares get 10 votes per share and the lucky people who own most of these shares are Larry Page and Sergei Brin (Alphabet's founders). This means that although Brin and Page (only) have a stake of about 12% each, they control over 50% of the voting power in Alphabet. When Alphabet was first floated, the founders drew up this cosy arrangement and it essentially shuts out everyone else who wants to have a say in how their company is managed for the rest of time.

Many other US companies follow this 'dual-class' share structure, including Facebook, Lyft, Snap and News Corporation and some are more equal than others – Snap shares come with no votes at all, unless you're an institutional investor or a founder.

Foolish takeaway

Although Mark Zuckerberg or Larry Page would defend their system as allowing the founders to focus on long-term goals rather than keeping shareholders happy every year, I certainly think our system is better as it forces investors to put their money where their mouths are. There are many things to like about the ASX, but democratic capitalism… you can't beat that.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Facebook. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Facebook. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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