Confessions of an Economic Hitman

This is John Perkins’ extended interview given for the documentary Zeitgeist: Addendum. From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to jackals in Venezuela, Perkins exposes a conspiracy of corruption that has fueled instability and anti-Americanism around the globe, with consequences reflected in our daily headlines.

As Chief Economist at a major international consulting firm, John Perkins advised the World Bank, United Nations, IMF, U.S. Treasury Department, Fortune 500 corporations, and countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

He worked directly with heads of state and CEOs of major companies. His books on economics and geo-politics have sold more than 1 million copies, spent many months on the New York Times and other bestseller lists, and are published in over 30 languages.

John’s Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (70 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list) is a startling exposé of international corruption. His The Secret History of the American Empire, also a New York Times bestseller, details the clandestine operations that created the world’s first truly global empire.

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wald0
This is a real eye opener in many ways. Of course I knew my government worked to gain control of other countries resources or to put them in a position that allows us to demand there vote or support for actions we know will be unpopular but, I didn’t know the details nor the extent corporations drive this process. In my opinion this is the inevitable outcome of pure unregulated capitalism, which clearly values profit over environmental sustainability or human lives.Which is really no wonder if you look at the state of affairs at the time capitalism was conceived and developed and by whom it was promoted and held to be the best answer for an equal and just world- it was the same guys that practiced slavery and believed in something called the white man’s burden. These self made saviors decided it was thier burden to spread their religion and what they called civilization to any place that might have resources they could exploit. And they took this burden seriousely, going so far as killing others, generally red or brown people, that refused to change- for their own good of course. Once they ran out of red and brown people to kill they turned on their own numbers, singling out anyone different and killing them as well- once again in an effort to save their souls of course. Then they figured out that if they didn’t kill the other strangely colored folk they could put them to work- and o.k. this is turning into a history lesson, sorry. My point is that maybe we can do better now, maybe after these couple hundred years or so of insanity we have finally figured out what sanity is. Now the question becomes can we forgive one another and move forward in an inclusive, just, peaceful manner guided by science and rational experience. Or will we cling to the same institutions and practices that got us where we are in the first place.
leonardobdas
What I don’t see is the how the connection between regulatory measures of the capital system and how two countries make a deal offer any explanation for how the US maintains an empire. To me, it is simpler: one country had 50% of the world’s wealth in the mid 50s and the rest of the world was still a colonial mess. One country therefore was able to educate their best and hired them to negotiate great deals against greedy tyrants that held resources, guys that barely spoke english. They offer them bank loans with bad interest rates because that is how it works even for a person’s first credit card.
Then they get deep in debt, but it is their fault because they didnt read the fine print. They were also greedy because as with all loans, they make a person think they have more than what they actually can deal with…. just like with a person in the US getting a BMW but should really be driving a corolla…
People bow to wealthy men: their power is entrancing. Imagine being some president in 1950 in Nicaragua or something, sitting in some farm and there comes the guys with the nuclear bombs and they offer you the greatest and latest bank deals, with sweet talking marketing guys just like Mad Men… it is so easy to see that happening without any fear mongering that mr. Perkins talks about.
Not saying at all that there aren’t other sales techniques involved, or that there is some maliciousness involved, but again this is not about a fight lacking a referee…. but a heavy weight fighting a feather weight that believes he can compete.
But that’s just me… as of lately.
malcolm_mclean
Well the first part of the video interview was interesting…. wish he would have gone into greater detail of who much, how the money is tranasferred, who they apply for a loan etc….but the whining end of ‘lets all come together’ after this loser has been responsible in part for the murder of elected presidents and government officials, bribed and corrupted governments that subjugated their people – well its a bit too much to swallow – the guilty man finding The Lord?