The Secret History of American Empire: How To Change the World

The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hitmen, Jackals, and How To Change the World, by John Perkins, author of Confessions of An Economic Hitman. Interesting book for philanthropists and social change activists. It shows in great circumstantial detail how Perkins and other Economic Hitmen have disrupted foreign governments by fair means and foul on behalf of what he calls "the corporatocracy," what C.A. Fitts calls, "the tapeworm," or what we here revere as Wealth Bondage.  (He said he did it for the "money, power and sex.") He shows how resource-rich third world nations are subverted around the globe by getting them to borrow more than they can repay,  then funneling the money to US corporations for massive projects benefiting mostly the country's rich.  To make the payments they must eventually privatize and sell off the country's public goods.  To make local officials compliant means used include a share of the plunder, access to hookers (followed by blackmail), and selective assassination. After demonstrating that corruption is systemic, and backed by murderous force, in league with secretive government agencies, Perkins somehow lands on the idea that citizen action groups will organize and bring the corporatocracy to an awakening of conscience. His site is that of a do-gooder.  I did not find that change of heart or his action plan too convincing, but the good news that I took from the book is that assassination is used only as a last resort for political leaders or for civil society activists. Before killing you, they generally offer money, power, and hookers. For myself, a bribe would be sufficient, if it allows me to go into philanthropy.

On another note, look at his picture.  A reasonably educated and presentable guy. Why did he have to subvert entire countries to get beautiful women for hire? I mean $300 bucks was that hard to find? I could get him 20% off in Wealth Bondage if he drops by on Wednesday, our slowest night. When he comes downstairs, he could give a lecture on "How to Change the World," before we have our Transvestites dance the polka in honor of our former Board Member, J. Edgar Hoover.

Comments

[ikorush sikorsky]

What is so secret about this secret history? Isn't the same suffering fault as found in "Shock Doctrine"? It is not secret, it has always been out there. Instead you get these passivity enabling narratives of the movement from innocence to awareness, which by their very strategy, obviate action - we've been deluded so long, and the web of intrigue is complex, and everything is much worse thatn you thought. What would be the natural reaction? Impassivity?

Like your fellow Yalie Doug Henwood said about the Klein book:

Those recovering from shock, whether in the Southern Cone or in New Orleans, see themselves as “ [quoting Klein] repair people, taking what’s there and fixing it, reinforcing it, making it better and more equal. Most of all, they are building in resistance — for when the next shock hits.” These are the concluding words of the book. Is this really all we can do? Tinker while the weather’s fair, and get ready to duck and cover on a moment’s notice?

[Phil]

Ikorush, you are framing the questions in my mind too. The first stage is secrecy, then what you have is more like translucence of malignity - you see, know that the malign force knows you see, and know you cannot do anything about, and know the malign is gloating, not too secretly. At one point Perkins notes in passing how the assassination of a third world ecological activist slowed the movement as people got the message. I wonder if that is not his value to his former handlers, his carrying of the toxic message, the emissary of what comes next, if the people he now addresses at ecology conventions don't slow down, back off, wear happy faces. The book documents how pro-democracy, pro-ecology, pro-justice movements, and their leaders, including elected leaders have been crushed. What other conclusion can be drawn than hopelessness? I am not sure that conclusion is external to Perkins, though he now spends his time addressing civil society groups.

[Phil]

Question: Would it be appropriate to send copies of Perkins' books to potential funders of ecological or pro-democracy groups? Who would send it? Someone trying to raise money, or someone trying to make sure prominent funders flee?

[Phil]

Or, maybe, this: First they send in the whores, then the friendly ones with bribes, then the economic hitmen, then the jackals. Has Perkins been demobilized? Or demoted? Well, the world gets on with double bottom line social ventures.

[No Fight In The Dog]

Check his finger-to-face gestures at appx 47:00, 49:50, 50:00 and 52:20 on the video. Thought he might pull his ear next.

[Phil]

Sure wish I had a constituency of some kind to sell out.