The Secret History of the American Empire
Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption
By: John Perkins
Published: June 5, 2007
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN 9781429560184
Publisher: Plume/Penguin Group
"We possess the knowledge, technology, and systems required to make this a stable, sustainable, equitable, and peaceful planet", writes self confessed economic hit man John Perkins, in his sweeping and visionary book The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption. In this important sequel to the seminal classic Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, the author takes the reader on a global tour of how the empire was built by what he calls the corporatocracy was built. More critically, John Perkins describes how and why corporations and the people of the world can work together to correcting past mistakes and creating a better world.
John Perkins knows how the corporatocracy operated in its empire building efforts. He was there and was part of the process. He saw first hand the destruction of the environment, corrupt governments and local elites, and the increased poverty of the populations of each country. The creation of international debt, according to John Perkins, widened the gap between rich and poor, impoverishing the country instead of enriching the people. Despite that background, the global business practices of corporations in the past, are not sustainable into the future. As resources face depletion, and become ever more expensive to extract, while local people have demanded a greater share of the bounty. John Perkins points out that corporations have been listening, and have become much more responsive to local populations. Along the way, the corporations discovered that becoming better corporate citizens was also good business.
John Perkins (photo left) shares stories of economic hit men like himself, of jackals who allegedly assassinated government and local leaders, and of plans made by the corporatocracy for continental and global dominance. At the same time, the author describes their failures and how their short sighted goals were not achievable as planned. In their way stood the power of determined local populations to regain control of their own resources, and their own self determination. John Perkins describes in detail how non-profit organizations, working with local and indigenous populations have defied corporate power, while helping to develop partnerships with companies, for the benefit of all concerned. In place of violence, cooperation and sharing have begun the process of lifting people out of poverty, while boosting the corporate bottom line.
For me, the power of the book is how John Perkins decides that the focus must be on the present and the future. What happened in the past is done, but doesn't have to continue in the same unsustainable manner. As resources dwindle, the need for better stewardship becomes critical for both the corporations and the host country. This need for more sustainable techniques and practices provides an opportunity for creativity on the part of non-profit organizations and for local people. Through gaining ownership of large voting blocks of shares, environmentally conscious people, who seek greater equality for people, have a voice in corporate management. The result has been more socially responsible corporate practice for the world's leading corporations. The book is one of hope for a better and more equitable future for everyone, and presents a framework for achieving equality, social justice, democracy, and sustainable business.
I highly recommend the important and world changing book The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption by John Perkins, to anyone seeking to become a force for change in the world. The author presents many ideas for building a more peaceful and equitable planet, where principles of social justice and democracy are available to everyone. At the same time, John Perkins demonstrates through case studies how to enhance and support ethical business practices in corporations that result in better treatment of people, and greater profits for the company.
Read the empowering and hope building book The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption by John Perkins, and discover how to build a better world for your children and grandchildren, where the principles of the American Revolution and the constitution become part of everyone's life and future. This book presents hope and a road map for achieving an improved life for all.
