subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published November 13, 2007 11:24 pm - Transcript Staff Writer
The next generation is faced with worldwide social and economic problems, but there ...


Former economic hit man challenges students to make a difference


The Norman Transcript

Transcript Staff Writer

The next generation is faced with worldwide social and economic problems, but there is hope for change, a self-described former economic hit man told about 75 University of Oklahoma students on campus Tuesday afternoon.

"You are the people who have inherited the challenges we created for you," said John Perkins, author of "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man."

Perkins worked as an economic hit man (EHM) for the United States for years before writing the best seller in 2004 that told his story of the corruption he'd been a part of.

As an EHM, Perkins said his job was to convince Third World countries to accept large loans for infrastructure development and to guarantee that the development projects were contracted to U.S. corporations.

Once the countries were saddled with huge debts, the U.S. government and the international aid agencies allied with it were able to control their economies and to ensure that oil and other resources were channeled to serve the interests of building a global empire, Perkins said.

When the EHM couldn't corrupt the leaders of developing countries by promising fortune, the U.S. would resort to assassination, he said. When those attempts failed, then the military was called in, he said.

The war in Iraq is a perfect example of this, he said. Saddam Hussein couldn't be bought or assassinated, so the U.S. invaded Iraq to protect its oil interests, he said.

Perkins' visit to OU was hosted by the OU chapter of Amnesty International.

When he appeared in Meacham Auditorium at Oklahoma Memorial Union, he was dressed comfortably in a long-sleeved gray polo shirt. His curly gray hair was shaggy but his lined face spoke of determination.

Perkins summarized his job as an economic hit man, saying these U.S. policies created the current state of the world, where poverty runs rampant and a small part of the population exploits the majority.

The ones who control the policies are not politicians, but what Perkins called the "corporatocracy," he said. This is the group of executives that lead companies that exploit the world's resources.

The corporatocracy isn't a conspiracy; the individuals don't get together and conspire to do dark deeds, he said.

"They all follow the unspoken goal of big corporations, and that goal is to consistently make huge profits, regardless of the social and environmental costs," he said.

While he explained the state of the world, Perkins was suprisingly upbeat, pointing out progress that had been made.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Clinical research coordinator
for cardio practice at SW Med Ctr. Highly developed org skills, detail-oriented, exc comm skills and computer skills. ...>MORE

Part-time Desktop Technician
Looking for a Technician to provide Level I / II IT support in a
fast-pace environment.

Skill set nee
...>MORE

Noble Healthcare Center
LPNs
Now Hiring LPNs
3p - 11p • 11p - 7a
Excellent Starting Pay
$500 Sign On BONUS after 6 Mos
...>MORE

GET A REAL JOB!
TCIM Services has incredible
opportunities contacting individual and business customers. No cold calls. If you have
...>MORE

Full-time Position in...
non traditional Mental Health Program.
Energy, flexibility, professionalism & experience required. No Phone Inqui
...>MORE

MAKE-READY/GROUNDS
Full-time Temporary Work
Pay based on Exp / Must have valid D.L. • Apply in person at
2900 Chautauqua
or
...>MORE

CMA/CNA with MAT
7 - 3 & 3 -11 • F/T & P/T
For Memory care community
Please apply in person 310-2499
Arbor House Reminisc
...>MORE

Republic Bank & Trust
Detailed-Oriented
Individuals Able to
Work in Fast-Paced
Environment Should Apply.

As a l
...>MORE

Seeking Direct Care Staff
Norman Juvenile Detention Facility. Must be 21. Call for Details • EOE
Communityworks • 447-4499
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Has Full Time &
Part Time
Positions Available For
CMA's • CNA
To Join a Great Team
Offering Com
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes


near Lake TBird on 10.5 fncd Ac ’s. 2100sq’ • 1100sq’ Wrap Around Porch & Patio. 3 or 4Bd/2Bth • 2/Liv Rms. Master BR 16...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Enchantment
Enchantment
25 Yrs Exp • Lawncare
Mowing, Edging,
Weeding • Tree Service
Topping, Pruning, Removal
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index