Book Review
Confessions of an Economic Hitman.
Perkins writes about a world where the few at the top of the economic pyramid obtain and maintain their status by using a system where the US government and organisations make use of their power and that of religious groups and policy writers to exploit unsuspecting nations that have the resources that they want. In many ways they “aid” poor countries and entangle them in debt that they will never be able to pay. After which when the poor countries default on their debt they are to allow the US to have control over their UN votes, install military bases or have access to their natural resources.
After reading the book Confessions of an Economic Hitman I was forced to take on a more critical look at society, business and how the world as a whole is run. I have had to start being a person who looks a bit further than what is being offered by the press as news – have a more in depth analysis of everything that is presented as fact. When it comes to leadership I have started to realise that more often than not the leaders of this country are not doing their jobs out of love for the nation or because it was a divine calling to do so. Most, if not all, of the leaders do their jobs because they are lucky enough to have the ability to convince people that the best interests of the nation will be serviced. People are self-serving and will do whatever it takes to acquire the material wealth that they so desire. The current leaders just happen to have the charisma, drive and connections necessary to be part of the “leading” elite. This goes for both local and international leaders. After some thought, it is rather humorous to me that African leaders feel so powerful and in control yet they are putty in the hands of international businessmen – or perhaps they know how limited their power is internationally and have chosen to turn a blind eye seeing as they’re being paid very well to “serve” the great nation of South Africa.
I have always had an idea of the conniving and colluding that takes place in the IMF and other international financial institutions but this book most definitely enlightened me on the extent to which these organisations are selfish and greedy. To have a monetary stake in bettering another nation is business, but to actively fool developing nations into billions of dollars of debt is just vile and destructive.
With regards to insight the book generates on sustainability, I have a very clear understanding that these major organisations have very little concern on the ramifications their actions have on future generations. There is no indication to me that sustainability was ever a concern, which just shows how limited their business sense is. To me, if you’re going to be malevolent and corrupt – at least do it in a way that allows for other people to benefit from it hundreds of years down the line. Exploiting Amazonian countries and damaging the environment then leaving to find other naïve and unknowing countries to take advantage of only creates a larger amount of land with irreversible damage and limited resources. Eventually there will be nothing to exploit and the heinous “leaders” will also start to face problems with shortages of food, minerals and raw materials. For people who have been “masterminds” behind global empire building, their lack of forethought is shameful.
I now know how much more important it is to encourage a world who works toward a sustainable living. Even in the smallest possible way, each and every person should make an attempt at driving the world towards sustainability because the people who are supposed to “serve and protect” are doing neither.
It is very important for people to be educated about the wicked acts of those in control of the world’s largest corporations so as to limit and inhibit the amount of damage they can do to our nations. This book has personally inspired me to read more on the history behind all these corporations, deals made with the national governments and how it personally benefits the local leaders who implement these plans. It is only with knowledge that we can all work against the destructive nature of those in power. I appreciate the enhanced insight this book offered on the nature of the world we live in. For this type of corruption to be brought to an end, the naïveté and ignorance of people needs to be obliterated.
Tweet me @BonKamona - I can email you a copy. Short book but very interesting.
