Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Abstract

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is the story of why the so-called developing never seems to develop, as seen through the eyes of John Perkins, who was involved in “developing” several oil-rich nations. The opening chapters deal with his childhood, which was permeated with elitism and ideas of how only the “right people” really mattered, his subsequent rebellion by defying his parents’ plan for his life, his initial contacts (through his wife) with government employment, and a 2-year Peace Corps stint with an indigenous Indian tribe in Ecuador. While there, he was recruited by the National Security Agency. After his time was up, he was hired by Chas. T. Main, Inc. to devise a 25-year forecast of seriously inflated electricity needs for Indonesia so that it would agree to take out an enormous loan. He did so, albeit with some misgivings, and his career as an economic hit man (EMH) was launched. Claudine, his handler, made his task perfectly clear: We’re a small, exclusive club,” she said. “We’re paid – well paid – to cheat countries around the globe out of billions of dollars. Alarge part of your job is to encourage world leaders to become part of a vast network that promotes U.S. commercial interests. In the end, those leaders become ensnared in a web of debt that ensures their loyalty. We can draw on them whenever we desire – to satisfy our political, economic, or military needs. In turn, these leaders bolster their political positions by bringing industrial parks, power plants, and airports to their people. Meanwhile, the owners of U.S. engineering and construction companies become very wealthy. (p. 17) Praised for his success, he was given “the opportunity, something few men ever receive, even at twice your age” (p. 57): to bring on board Panama’s popular president, Omar Torrijos, who wanted all Panamanians, instead of only the small elite, to benefit. Torrijos’ assertion that sovereign ...