Confessions of an Economic Hitman

Confessions of an Economic Hit man privy Perkins The reasons as to why I selected this book was heavily weighted on my personal interests. The fact that I am interested in matters of scotchs, imperialism, capitalism and deception and corruption on a regimen level, made reviewing Confessions of an economic hit man an enjoy qualified experience. For them, this is a war about the survival of their children and cultures, while for us it is about power, money and natural resources.It is one part of the struggle for rearing domination and the dream of a few greedy men, spheric conglomerate. (prologue) If confessions of an economic Hit man had to be summarised in a sentence, the character reference above should give you the subscriber briefly a general inquest into or so of the main topics of discussion in the book. The author ( seat Perkins) describes in great depth the conflicts of interests between the developed and the developing world whilst integrating his animateness jour ney as part of a riveting and gripping novel.The book begins in the 1960s and the author gives a personal account of his life, family and education threw bank 1971, the year in which John Perkins became an Economic Hit man. Confessions of an economic Hit man tells a tale of how John Perkins amongst others wiretaped anoint export countries much(prenominal) as Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela and Indonesia further to name a few name calling, in order for them to become indebted to the United States of the States. John Perkins goes into grave contingent in explaining how America has become probably the close powerful political and economic force in the world.The elements of genius and deception mixed with the strategic approaches of the so called economic hit men (EHMs) gives an insight as to how these oil rich countries become indebted to the powerhouses of America such(prenominal) as the large applied science corporations, banks, CEOs and politicians. In order to expl ain how EHMs go about their work, the author has chosen to make references to the Mafia, through these references it can be understood incisively how these strategies where implemented in to helping the American economy grow according to the views, expressions and experiences of John Perkins. Like our counterparts in the mafia EHMs provide favors. These take the forms of loans to develop infrastrucure electrical generating plants, highways, ports airports or industrial parks. (prolouge) EHMs pronounce the idea of taking out large loans to the leaders of some of the countries named previously. The main intention of providing countries these inflated loans, is in the end for these countries to disrespect on the loan payments and in turn to be indebted to the USA.An Copernican part of the process was making sure the infrastructure that was to be built, was built by American engineering firms such as MAIN, which John Perkins initially worked for. This factor was important as a lar ge sum of the loan was instantly injected put up in to the American economy via the engineering firms. If the EHMs are completely successful and the default on the loan payments occurs (which it inevitably will) then as the author puts it so well when this happens, then like the mafia we demand our pound of flesh (prologue).As a result America often try to command some of the following control over United Nations votes, the installation of military bases, or access to resources such as oil. Thus a country has been added to the global empire. The author tries to name what is wrong with the strategic decisions existence made by the American government, himself and other economic hit men in the past by showing the consequences the strategic decisions have. Not only on the ones who reap the benefits from these decisions but of those who are affected negatively.An example of this is how the indigenous peck of Ecuador were affected by the oil companies invading the very environments i n which those people live and the destruction of cultures, habitats, wildlife and the people of Ecuador who lived in such areas. To give another example as to what is wrong with the strategic decisions made in the past in regards to the admirer, the Mafia reference can be referred to once again. Mafia bosses often start out as thoroughfare thugs. But over epoch, the ones who make it to the top transform their appearance.They take to wearing impeccably tailored suits and owning legitimate businesses. They are quick to lend money to those in desperate straits They appear to be model citizens. However beneath this patina is a trail of argumentation (page 139) Using the mafia analogy it is clear to diagnose what is wrong with the strategic decisions that have been made in the past and are still being made now in regards to, how governments and EHMs leave behind trails of blood just as Mafia bosses can in order to carry out their business.But the model citizens who are in disguise s uch as EHMs are seen in a completely different light in that to crime lords. Many strategies have been devised by empires over centuries, these strategies and decisions have helped shape the world as it is in its present state. The author explains how strategic decisions made in the past were the wrong decisions in his opinion, as John Perkins had seen first hand the demolition that could be caused by the American government in its pursuit for a global empire.An example of this is how in the 1960s, a secernate strategy was being implemented by the world governments. This was the switch from neoclassical economics to Keynesian economics. In America this switch happened under the reigns of presidents Kennedy and Johnson. The switch to Keynesian economics meant that the government would play a major role in managing markets and in regards to welfare health, unemployment, compensation and other forms of welfare. This now meant that government intervention was at an all time high.The a uthor explains how a one Robert McNamara who at the time was the secretary of defense and then went on to become the president of the World Bank, had the single most important influence on the switch to Keynesian economics. McNamara became a strong advocate of a Keynesian approach to government, using mathematical models and statistical approaches to determine wad levels, allocation of funds, and other strategies. His advocacy of aggressive leadership became a hallmark not only of government managers but also of corporate executives.It formed the instauration of a saucily philosophical approach to teaching management at the nations top business schools, and it ultimately led to a new breed of CEOs who would spearhead the rush to global empire. (page 79) The author goes on to stress the importance of such an event and how the decisions which lead up to Robert McNamara becoming the president of the most powerful bank in the world. The strategic decision of developing and switching to Keynesian economics which lead to the World Bank becoming an agent in the global empire was described by the author as Robert McNamaras greatest and most sinister contribution to hi bill. page 79) Another key Strategic decision made in 1975 this time by John Perkins was one which shaped global economics at the time. It was that of an innovative approach to economic forecasting originally formed by a Russian mathematician. This was the Markhov method of economic modeling. The strategic decision made by the protagonist in this sequel John Perkins was one that would affect entire societies. Of course as explained before a EHMs role was to land large loans upon the shoulders of countries which would not be capable to open up the repayment of these loans. It was exactly what we wanted a tool that scientifically proved we were doing countries a favour by helping them incur debts they would never be able to pay off. In addition, only a highly skilled econometrician with lots of time a nd money would possibly comprehend the intricacies of markhov or question its conclusions. (page 102) unitedly with the help of a Dr Nadipuram Prasad, John Perkins presented Markhov as a revolutionary method for forecasting investment on infrastructure. Now backed with facts and figures, EHMs such as John Perkins became very successful at what they did.This shows what was fundamentally wrong with USA at the time as the implementation of such devious strategy was used to exploit countries who had lesser knowledge economically and who were desperate to have a high flying economy like that of the US and also emulate some of the US infrastructure, such as shopping malls and airports. The author tries to make it fundamentally clear that the strategic decisions made by himself and the American government were wrong in every sense of the imagination.The author paints men such as George Bush, George Shultz and Robert McNamara with the same brush. He believes under their regimes people like himself were pawns in a game in which such men wanted the result to be an america that controlled the world and all its resources, a world that answered to the commands of that america, a U. S military that would enforce rules as they were written by america, and an international trade and banking system that supported america as CEO of the global empire. (page 155)Through the experiences of the protagonist and the guilt that was felt through such a personal journey John Perkins makes his confessions clear but also tries to lead the commentator into new strategic directions and influence society along the way. John Perkins essentially admits to feeling regret for some of his actions but through his writings he tried to correct some of his past mistakes as he aims to indoctrinate a new generation on some of the corruption which shapes all of our futures. Most importantly this story must be told because today, for the first time in history, one nation has the ability, the money a nd the power t change all this.It is the nation where I was born and the one I served as an EHM the United States of America (page 219) An example of this is how John Perkins makes references and implications as to how the most powerful firms in the world have at their disposal, quite essentially the power and money to change global problems such as starvation and common diseases. the big corporations, banks and government bureaucracies that threaten the republic could be used instead to institute fundamental changes in the world. such institutions possess the communications networks and transportation systems necessary to end disease, starvation, and even wars if they could only be convinced to take that course. page 128) To this example, John Perkins mentions it on numerous make but this quotation would best sum up how John Perkins tries to influence the reader on reviewing new strategic directions. John Perkins does not only travail to influence entire societies or countries as shown with the previous examples but he also attempts to interact with the reader.In the epilogue John Perkins interacts with the reader and attempts to influence the reader in implementing new strategies in their lives in an attempt to make a difference on some of the issues discussed in this book review. An example of this is where John Perkins states so the burden falls on to you to see the truth beneath the veneer and to expose it. Speak to your family and friends spread the word. (page 221). In regard to this John Perkins attempts to influence peoples day to day lives, from downsizing homes, wardrobes cars and to even consider meditation instead of shopping.He then goes on to mention household brand names such as Nike, McDonalds and Coca Cola in a clear attempt to influence the reader that these organizations have the ability to make their primary goals to dress out and feed the worlds poorest. John Perkins almost pushes the idea of equality on the reader as he uses his s trong beliefs to try and make the reader consider new strategic directions as strategy after all is not just something that is implemented on a business level but something that can be implemented in ones life.My opinion of this novel is that I have found it to be enthralling and the argument the protagonist makes is a very convincing and detailed one. It is clear to see that the feelings of the protagonist are extremely strong. So, however strong his argument, one must consider that the story is that of one mans opinion and in all probability, possibly biased. The main argument the protagonist makes is that of one that takes me back to the very first quotation I had used from the book, that of greedy men, and global empire and how it is shaping the world and how essentially things must change.An example of why the story of John Perkins could be found so convincing is an example of todays current economic climate. The greed of the some of the worlds largest banks has lead to a reces sion in which very few may have predicted. This recession has of course caused many of us to struggle. I believe steps could have been taken to stop this if such high levels of deception were not amongst the CEOs and corporate leaders of some of the worlds leading financial institutions.As I do find the protagonists story and argument convincing I do not agree with it, as in a time of extreme capitalism and globalization many of us are powerless to stop events described in the novel and a current example of todays recession from happening. boilers suit the book was a more than an interesting read and possibly an eye opener to many who do not have knowledge or sympathy of some of the views expressed in the book. So I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who takes similar interest into economics, imperialism and government corruption as I have. parole Count 2028