Confessions of an Economic Hitman

Confessions of an stintingal sum up man washbowl Perkins The reasons as to why I selected this book was to a great extent weighted on my private interests. The fact that I am interested in matters of economic science, imperialism, capitalism and dissembling and degeneration on a g e realplacening level, make reviewing Confessions of an economic hit man an enjoyable experience. For them, this is a war about(predicate) the survival of their children and cultures, while for us it is about superpower, specie and infixed resources.It is one part of the struggle for earthly concern domination and the dream of a few greedy men, planetary empire. (prologue) If confessions of an economic Hit man had to be summarised in a sentence, the reference point above should give you the proof ref before long a general inquest into whatsoever of the main topics of discussion in the book. The indite ( bathroom Perkins) describes in great depth the conflicts of interests between the developed and the developing creation whilst integrating his life journey as part of a rivet and gripping clean.The book begins in the 1960s and the writer gives a ain account of his life, family and education threw till 1971, the year in which fast one Perkins became an Economic Hit man. Confessions of an economic Hit man tells a bosh of how John Perkins amongst others causeed oil exporting countries much(prenominal) as Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela and Indonesia but to name a few names, in baffle for them to smorgasbord by reversal indebted to the United States of the States. John Perkins goes into grave detail in explaining how the States has become probably the approximately knock-down(a) political and economic pull up in the world.The elements of genius and deception mixed with the strategic speak toes of the so c e rattlinged economic hit men (EHMs) gives an insight as to how these oil juicy countries become indebted to the powerhouses of America such as the large engineering corporations, intrusts, CEOs and politicians. In order to explain how EHMs go about their work, the author has chosen to make references to the mafia, through these references it fecal matter be dumb scarcely how these strategies where implemented in to dowry the American economy senesce according to the views, expressions and experiences of John Perkins. Like our counterparts in the mafia EHMs provide favors. These land the forms of loans to develop infrastrucure electric generating plants, luxuriouslyways, ports airports or industrial parks. (prolouge) EHMs pronounce the idea of winning out large loans to the leaders of many of the countries named previously. The main intention of providing countries these rargonfied loans, is in the end for these countries to default on the loan payments and in gaming to be indebted to the USA.An important part of the process was making for sure the infrastructure that was to be built, was built by Americ an engineering firms such as MAIN, which John Perkins initi in ally worked for. This factor was important as a large sum of the loan was instantly injected back 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 salubrious 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 oer United Nations votes, the installation of military bases, or access to resources such as oil. Thus a country has been added to the international empire. The author tries to discern what is handle with the strategic decisions being made by the American government, himself and other economic hit men in the quondam(prenominal) by showing the consequences the strategic decisions consume. Not sole(prenominal) on the ones who reap the benefits from these decisions but of those who are affected negatively.An precedent of this is how the indigenous large number of Ecuador were affected by the oil companies invading the very environments in which those deal live and the destruction of cultures, habitats, wildlife and the people of Ecuador who lived in such areas. To give another(prenominal) example as to what is wrong with the strategic decisions made in the past in regards to the relay link, the Mafia reference can be referred to once again. Mafia bosses often start out as street thugs. But over quantify, the ones who make it to the top transform their appearance.They purport to wearing impeccably betrothed suits and owning legitimate line of merchandisees. They are quick to lend money to those in fearsome straits They appear to be model citizens. However at a lower place this patina is a trail of blood (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 a re still being made now in regards to, how governments and EHMs leave slow trails of blood just as Mafia bosses can in order to carry out their business.But the model citizens who are in inter such as EHMs are seen in a completely unlike 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 devastation 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 key 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 chat up a maj or role in managing markets and in regards to welfare health, unemployment, honorarium and other forms of welfare. This now meant that government intervention was at an all conviction high.The author explains how a one Robert McNamara who at the sequence was the secretary of refutation and then went on to become the president of the World Bank, had the single most important enchant on the switch to Keynesian economics. McNamara became a toilsome advocate of a Keynesian shape up to government, using mathematical models and statistical approaches to determine troop levels, allocation of funds, and other strategies. His advocacy of aggressive leaders became a hallmark not only of government managers but in addition of corporate executives.It formed the basis of a brisk 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 tend to global empire. (page 79) The author goes on to st ress the importance of such an instance 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 great and most sinister contribution to hi report. 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 booster amplifier in this case 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 afford 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 and money would perhaps comprehend the intricacies of markhov or question its conclusions. (page 102) Together with the help of a Dr Nadipuram Prasad, John Perkins presented Markhov as a revolutionary method for forecasting investing on infrastructure. Now backed with facts and figures, EHMs such as John Perkins became very successful at what they did.This shows what was basically wrong with USA at the time as the implementation of such devious strategy was used to exploit countries who had lesser companionship economically and who were desperate to have a high flying economy like that of the US and excessively 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 recollects 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 shell out and banking system that supported america as CEO of the global empire. (page 155) by means of the experiences of the champ and the guilt that was felt through such a personal journey John Perkins makes his confessions clear but also tries to lead the reader 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 a ims to organise a new generation on some of the corruption which shapes all of our futures. Most importantly this story must be told because like a shot, for the first time in history, one nation has the ability, the money and 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 putting green diseases. the big corporations, banks and government bureaucracies that threaten the republic could be used sooner to institute fundamental changes in the world.Such institutions possess the communications networks and transit systems necessary to end disease, starvation, and blush wars if they could only be convinced to take that course. page 128) To this example, John Perkins h onorable mentions it on numerous occasions 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 attempt 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 grapple meditation instead of shopping.He then goes on to mention household brand names such as Nike, McDonalds and C oca gage in a clear attempt to influence the reader that these organizations have the ability to make their primary goals to clothe and feed the worlds poorest. John Perkins almost pushes the idea of equality on the reader as he uses his strong 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 t he 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 niche 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 begin the protagonists story and argument convincing I do not chord 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. Overall the book was a more than an interesting read and possibly an eye opener to many who do not have knowledge or understanding 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. Word Count 2028