The Secret History of the American Empire

March 12, 2007
Having made a splash with Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
, Perkins offers similarly entertaining but disturbing accounts of the American government wreaking havoc around the world in support of American business. In Perkins's view, American presidents willingly comply with their CEO masters, distributing foreign aid to corrupt Third World leaders who keep a share and return the rest to U.S. business for major projects, leaving their nations poor and massively in debt, and requiring more loans and slavish obedience to U.S. policy. If any leader objects, the CIA destabilizes his government, by assassination if necessary. Gathering evidence is not Perkins's strong suit. Typically, a shadowy figure pulls him aside, insists on anonymity, then reveals all. Critics will rightfully accuse Perkins of dreadful journalism and a taste for conspiracy theories. Yet economists admit that loans and "expert advice" to poor nations are often harmful. Few deny that America has ruthlessly undermined uncooperative governments and supported dictators including Saddam Hussein. Perkins's assertions that the U.S. assassinated Ecuador's reformist president and connived at genocide in Timor and Sudan are not absurd, merely unproven. This book's greatest value may be to encourage a competent journalist to cover the same ground.

October 1, 2007
In his 2004 "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man", Perkins revealed his role in the 1970s and 1980s in what he described as the ruthlessness with which the United States used economic manipulation and political coercion to extend its power and control over other nations. His job included convincing underdeveloped countries to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and to make sure that the development projects were contracted to U.S. multinationals. Building on this work's notoriety, Perkins now offers similarly troubling descriptions of his view of how the American government is wreaking havoc around the world in support of American business. Drawing on many interviews with unnamed economic hit men, jackals, CIA operatives, reporters, and activists, the author explores the conditions in world hot spots as he presents his perspective on the "geopolitical crisis." While his effort to delve into the "secret history" that explains why the world is now dangerous and no longer sustainable, who is responsible for the current problems, and what can be done to change things for the better for the next generations is admirable, his lack of cited sources and his broad-brushed approach results in material that may appeal more to those with a taste for conspiracy theories. Serious students, researchers, and journalists will want to use reliable academic political science, business, and economics journals to follow these issues. Thankfully, the author's weak, breaking voice narrates only the introduction, while the remainder of the material is solidly presented by Jonathan Davis. Recommended only for university libraries.Dale Farris, Groves, TX

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