Presis on "confessions of an economic hit man"

Summary and themes of the “confessions of an economic Hit man”

“Confessions of an economic Hit Man” written by John Perkins, depicts the truth about the corrupt motifs and methods of the American government and international consulting firms. John Perkins was an American Hit man, who trapped poor nations into contracts that made countries lose their fortune. This confession depicts how his work has affected the American involvement in Panama, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. This novel describes battle between rich and poor, the greed and personal motifs of people and unjustifiable governments.

Indonesia:
John Perkins began to work for a company called MAIN, whose aim was to ensure American power in Indonesia with an electrification project. John Perkins job was to adapt Indonesia to new technologies such as electricity, pipelines, ports and companies. Nevertheless, this industrialization was not made to support the poor people of Indonesia. On the contrary Indonesia was only industrialized to enable American oil companies to have better working conditions in the country itself. American firms settled into Indonesia and therefore, created more American power in Indonesia. Consequently, some Indonesian people became very wealthy, however, on the long term Indonesia became more and more dependent on American firms. Although John Perkins performed his task well, he observed, that his job was not a support to the people of Indonesia. However, he only became aware of the truth when his partner accused him of underhand dealings.

“…You’ve sold your souls to the devil. You’re in it for the money…” (page 37)

John Perkins did not acknowledge the truth, but continued his greed and personal motivation, money and power. The more he communicated with the poor people of Indonesia, he began to realize that the American government gains its control by force.

“Yet, the more time I spend with these men, the more convinced I became that I was an intruder, that an order to cooperate had come down from someone, and that they had little choice but to comply.” (page 46)

According to this passage John Perkins depicts what misleading power the American government and firms used to corrupt other nations for their own benefits. He has to understand that his work is destroying the living standards of whole families. His job influences the government of other nations to such an extent, that it is impossible for these governments to assist its citizens. Due to the greed of nations and powerful people, like John Perkins, other people need to abdicate to their needs. This automatically creates a clash between poor and rich social groups. Such a clash can cause the government and the nation to separate and make it impossible for advancement to a solution.
John Perkins continued writing manipulated economic predictions about Indonesia. He succeeded with his false statements and was promoted to Chief economist of MAIN, although he had no experience with economical studies. This once again proved that American companies acted irresponsible to other nations welfare, since they are not hiring well educated economists, but people who write what the firm wants to hear. With such corrupt partnerships and employment, the decline of the nations and their population is no surprise.

Panama:
John Perkins was sent on a business trip to Panama in 1972. During this time period Panama was ruled by Omar Torrijos, who became very popular among the population for his liberal aims and ideas. Torrijos was fighting for liberal rights of Panama and also for the Panama Canal. While Torrijos was not interested in popularity or power, John Perkins aim was gain a greater income and influence through this mission. John Perkins was sent to Panama to introduce a development plan for the World Bank, Inter – American Development Bank and USAID. In addition, during this mission he began to introduce the Markov method for econometric modeling made by Dr. Nadipuram Prasad. This new modeling plan enabled John Perkins to make better predictions about a countries infrastructure. This was an extraordinary development among economic hit men, since it made it easier for them to per sway countries into deals with better information. Although this plan seemed as though it would assist the nation’s economy, it only cheated Panama into huge amounts of debts. This was a great profit to the American government and firms but it created a decline of wealth in Panama.
John Perkins met Omar Torrijos during his stay in Panama. Although they both had contrary aims concerning their businesses they agreed to make a contract.

“By the time I left him we both understood that MAIN would get the contract for the master plan, and that I would see to it that we did Torrijos bidding.” (page86)

Once again two powerful men were able to decide over the lives of millions of people. If this system would be liberal and beneficial for the population, then such agreements and actions would not be able to be made. This situation also depicts how powerless the people who live in poverty are. As they do not have any possibility to speak up, they have to live with the results greed and self interested people around the globe have made.

“…it’s band of EHM’s, and the jackals waiting in the background would never allow the little guys to gain control”. (page 89)

Similar to his previous task, John Perkins had used the unfair and irresponsible working methods of his firms. Due to his greed and self interest he continued manipulating countries in order to gain benefits for himself and his country.

Saudi Arabia:
1974, John Perkins was ordered to find a solution to the oil crisis. He quickly found a solution and his new victim, Saudi Arabia. This country had not been developed and industrialized and was the perfect target for John Perkins. He predicted the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia would increase if firms would begin to invest into the country. Although he knew that this new system was not beneficial for the population, he established a development plan.

“I simply put my imaginations to work and wrote reports that envisioned a glorious future for the kingdom” (page 99)

Since this development plan only assisted the American firms, Saudi Arabia became dependent on American support. Therefore, Saudi Arabia agreed to give their oil income to America, in order to become a modernized nation. With money and sex, John Perkins convinced Prince W. to agree to the industrial development plan. However, the relations between America and Saudi Arabia quickly became tense, after Arabia realized that they were fooled into a false deal. This disagreement eventually resulted in the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001.
Nevertheless, John Perkins continued influencing other nations and per swaying them that America would accomplish positive change in nations. On a mission in Iran, he also aimed to make a profitable deal with Iran for America. However, soon after Perkins communicated with poor people from Iran, he understood how much the American government controlled and influenced the Iranian government. Although many people try to convince John Perkins, to stop his business, he continuous and creates even further dramatic changes in other nations.
Nevertheless, John Perkins plans for America began to get out of control when Iran and Saudi Arabia rebelled against these industrial involvements.

“I helped create a covenant that guaranteed continued oil for America, safeguarded the rule of the House of Saud, and assisted in the financing of Osama Bin Laden and the protection of international criminals like Uganda’s Idi Amin.” (page 160)

John Perkins understood that his influence had not created better nations, but brought the world into war. Only after the firm MAIN had corrupted since one of their development plans had failed, John Perkins decided to resign and back up form work of an economic hit man.
Perkins changed his profession to an expert witness, who approved the building of new power plants. From a distance he watched as many other economic hit men grew successful with their jobs and tasks. However, he also understood the impact of the death of Omar Torrijos, a human rights fighter. For him it was clear that this death was not an accident, however, organized by the American government.
After a request from the company SWEC, John Perkins agreed to become an adviser of industry practices on a legal basis. In his new job John became aware of how America pushed Iraq into submission, by their influence in Panama. However, America underestimated Saddam Hussein and believed that he would agree to the deals of the economic hit men. The United States of America lost control over Saddam’s power and therefore, the economic hit men prepared America for an invasion.
Conclusively, the development plans John Perkins had made for Panama, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Iran were so destructive that they led these countries into poverty and war.

Slumdog Millionaire, an Oscar Favorite, Is No Hit in India

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1873926,00.html

Slumdog Millionaire, an Oscar Favorite, Is No Hit in India

"Slumdog millionaire" has been a great success in many nations and has received 10 Academic Awards. However, the Indian population does not seem to share this interest and excitement about the movie. The movie is about an educated young man from the slums of Mumbai, who wins a million dollars in a TV show. Although the Indian people can identify their lifestyles with this movie, they do not approve it.

Many people in India claimed that the movie was full of stereotypes and false facts. They therefore believe that the movie was only made to entertain people and not to bring them nearer to Indian culture. Other citizens of Mumbai are aware of the social problems and the slums, however, they do not want to be reminded of these problems. Therefore, they do not want to be confronted with the movie.

"...but if I speak for Indians like me, there's nothing new in it for us. It's saturated with stereotyped images of India."

However, not only middle class people from India are critical towards the movie, but also the people who are actually living in the slums. Many of these people feel offended by the movie and do not want to be named a "slumdog" and be presented in a wrong manner.

Nevertheless, why are the people who are faced with a cruel life in the slums rebelling against this movie? Don't they realize that this movie could make other people understand the problem and start helping them? The movie certainly made many people think about these poor communities in India and could maybe even bring some improvement to the slums. However, the improvement cannot occur until the people in India are not ready to accept this help.

Giving the Poor Their Rights

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1640435,00.html


Giving the Poor Their Rights:

Margaret Atieno Okoth and her husband are both working for 2$ a day in order to survive with their 12 children in the slums. The two parents have very bad living and working conditions and are only able to send three of their children to school. Like Margaret, 1 million other Kenyans are also forced to live in the slums under horrible conditions. Many of these people are convinced that their situation will not change, as their family has been forced to live in the slums since generation.

People like Margaret have no chance to find their way out of the slums, because they do not have the rights to do so. They do not have any birth certificates or legal addresses, which makes it impossible for them to move, or to find a sufficient job. In addition, it is very dangerous for them not to have legal identity papers, since the landowners of the slums could force them of the land at any time. Another problem is that the people living in the slums know nothing about their rights since no one of them can read or write. Therefore, they do not understand what they should rightfully receive from the government. Automatically, the people are scared of any confrontation with the government or the laws. Since the people fear the government they do not dare to ask the government for support or a decent job. This causes even more problems among the poor people and poverty increases as no one dares to rebel against the unfairness.

Organizations are now intending to help these people to understand their rights. With such organizations the people from the slums are being educated and gain courage to stand up for their rights. Although these organizations are now helping the poor people, they still have to have a lot of support from others. The change among the slums will be very slow because still a lot of these people are being suppressed by their landowners and the government.

Cell-Phone Use Spreads Among World's Poor

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1882564,00.html

Cell-Phone Use Spreads Among World's Poor:

According to the U.N. report the use of cell phones has increased to 6 of 10 people. This increase in technology has particularly increased among developing countries. These countries are now trying to adapt as fast as possible to the new technology. However, it is almost impossible for them to keep up with the technological development of other nations.

In 2002, the number of people using mobiles in developing countries was less then half. This has increased dramatically, since now, in 2009, two - thirds of the people in developing countries are using cell phones. In addition, also the use of internet has increased among poor nations. However, the number of people who have internet access at home in Africa is still only 1 in 20. Although the developing countries are trying to keep up with the new technology, they are too slow. It is impossible for them to benefit or get wealthier from the technology when they cannot keep up with it.

Both the rich and poor countries will have to cooperate and adapt to each other in order to make sure, that the poor nations are able to keep up with technology. When the rich and the poor would work towards each other then the poverty rate of these countries would automatically decrease and new jobs would be available. However, there is no cooperation between the two and therefore, every year, it becomes more difficult and impossible for the developing countries to keep up with technology.

How is Pride of Baghdad an Allegory?

The comic, Pride of Baghdad, is based on a true story, in which three lions escape out of a Zoo in Baghdad after a bombing. Nevertheless, they died due to lack of food and their violent surrounding. Yet, the story is an allegory, as the comic’s real aim is to explain the severe situation during the Iraq war.

Pride of Baghdad is explaining the current situation and conflicts in warfare. With many different symbols and representations, the author depicts in a careful way how the citizens of Baghdad feel. Although lions are explaining all their problems and feelings, it becomes clear that the lions are also representing the feelings of humans. Their innocents and helplessness tells the reader who aimless and unfair the war is between Iraq and America. It is an allegory as it explains many different mistakes which makes the warfare useless. As for example, when the book uses the “shock and awe” effect, the reader realizes how America is advertising for the war. Therefore, the book actually explains the reader why the war is not helping but only bringing pain and horror.

Pride of Baghdad is an allegory, as its true meaning is based on the people who were forced to be involved in the warfare between Iraq and America.

Why Congo's Peacekeepers Are Coming Under Fire

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1854483,00.html

1000’s of peacemakers have been sent to the Congo to rescue the citizens from starvation and civil wars. However, the peacemakers are facing a problem, as the people who they want to protect are rebelling against them. Many inhabitants from the Congo began attacking and killing peacemakers, which makes the situation in the Congo even more dangerous.
The Congolese are currently involved in many civil wars which cause a great increase in starvation and deaths. All the civil wars are based on the constant demand for the scarce resources in the Congo. However, the profits coming out of the sales of these products are never seen by the poor people in the Congo. The reason for the attacks towards the peacemakers is due to the unprofessional behavior of the humanitarian organization. They try to reinforce peace with guns and violence. In addition, they are also arresting many Congolese people. Therefore, the organization has a very bad reputation among the inhabitants. For the Congolese this organization is another threat to their existence.
The UN should control this organization more with the intention to improve the situation in the Congo and not worsening it. However, the chance of the Congolese people to trust a humanitarian organization again is very low.

Who should own water? And who does own it?

The owners of water vary depending on the situation. The owners of water are sometimes landowners or it belongs to the local government. This government than regulates how the water is used and in what amount it is given out.
Nevertheless, the local government is not always best for this job. If the government misuses its power and sells the water to a company for higher income, than the citizens could suffer under this decision. Therefore, the government should be controlled by a humanitarian organization, which checks if the government is using the water appropriately. However, the water should not be owned by landowners, as the water supply would not be shared equaly in such a situation. Everyone should have the same chance of getting water.
Unless the government misuses its power, it is a good idea to let the government controlled the water supply of an area. Like this no bias people are involved in the tasks and the water would be split fairly for the population of the area.