Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins



Characters:

• John Perkins - He serves as the Economic Hit Man throughout the book. He is the main character of whom which you follow and catch on to his ultimate realization of the ramifications to his actions.
  • Claudine - Helps seduce Perkins' into the job.
  • Howard - Accuses John of doing the job just for the money. He makes the comment that he's helping a few by hurting many. This is the first man that gets John to start realizing the atrocities that he has done.
  • Charlie - A man that talks John into making favorable forecasts, so the company can make more money.
  • Rasmon - A friend of John's whom he meets in Indonesia. Rasmon shows John the true Indonesia and how the Indonesian people referred to him as an American Interrogator rather than an economic forecaster.
  • Parker - The member of MAIN (a company John works for) who eventually gets promoted, John takes his old position.
  • Fidel - A man who shows John through the Canal Zone in Panama, along the way John realizes the true dislike of the United States here.
  • Torrijos - The leader of Panama who is aware of Perkins' plan for Panama and all their other actions throughout the world. He bargains with John that he will give him the contracts if he helps present Panama as a free country without the backing of anyone.
  • Yamin - A man who knows about Perkins' career who gives him the name of the man between two worlds.
    
  • Doc - A ex-Economic Hit Man, who was tortured and nearly killed who warns Perkins' that the current Shah would soon be overthrown and the hatred of the United States in the region would grow.
  • Farhad - A friend of Perkins' from college who tells of the reforms that will turn the Middle East against the Western World.
  • Paula - A woman who forces John to look inside himself about the situation.
  • Roldos - Ecuador's version of Torrijos, who feared no super power and refused to align himself with any of them. Perkins' admires this man for standing up for his people.
  • Bruno Zambotti - One of the few good people at MAIN. He is fired by the CEO due to his overwhelming success.
  • Paul Priddy - Promoted to fill Zambotti's place, serves as a puppet for the CEO. He helps lead to MAIN's eventual collapse.
    

Main Plot:

• Confessions of an Economic Hit Man follows part of John Perkins' life leading up to the ultimate realization of his work. Perkins' joins these firms initially to try and do more good from the inside, rather than being on the outside looking in. Perkins' is brought into various consulting firms to assess a nation's ability for growth. However, his entire job was to falsify these reports and ultimately straddle a country with millions of dollars in debt, which can never be repaid. It's made note that these firms will get their money back one way or another. Most of the time means this country must give up certain resources, money over a certain period, and military bases (note his career took place over much of the Cold War). This tactic is the acclaimed reason in which the United States was able to take over the World Superpower role so quickly. As Perkins' continues to bring nations to their knees, he slowly begins to realize the true damage that has been done - which leads to his early retirement from the field.

Symbolism:

• The entire persona that him and his company take on represent the Big Business American mentality that helped them get to the top of the world.
• He refers to man of the cultural clashes such as the Iran Coop, Operation: Iraqi Freedom, and the continuing struggle between worlds.
• The mindset that the companies had that he worked for. It was a once you're in, you're in for life - referring to the gang or mob lifestyle.
  

Author's Style:

• The author's style takes on many different shapes. You can say that it takes on the style of a straight biography of his career, a tell-all book about his industry, or most of all a book of almost remorse for what he had done.

Themes and Issues:

• Many of his critics claim that he actually did not impact the world as much as he claims to, which is still a hot-topic issue debated.
• Also, the NSA denies to have helped get him hired at his original site - which starts him along the path of becoming an Economic Hit Man.
• A general theme is the secrecy of the whole side of business. Many people are naive to the nature that this is happening today. He was even offered thousands of dollar and a job (sit at home, cash the paycheck - don't show up) just so he wouldn't write this book.
  

Opinion:

• Overall, the book was really good. It was an interesting view on the fairly unheard role of an economic hit man and the international involvement. One down side to the book was that it jumps around a lot. For instance, in one chapter he’s in Colombia, but then next one he’s back in Panama. However, once the reader adjusts to the style it’s fairly easy to follow. I personally liked how the book gave insight on to the motives of these actions, rather than what the media produces as their explanation. I would recommend this book to someone that enjoys reading on historical events worldwide.

 

I was paid by my mom to read this book (Dont Hate).

I was VERY reluctant to read it, but once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I was stunned by the information I was reading, and unlike most of the audience, not very disturbed. I am a realist, and I know that these activities help keep america running by supporting the private sector. I also was very shocked at how cleverly they recruited Perkins into his job as an EHM. (The name of Economic Hit Men shortened, as it is in the book.)

I would suspect 95% of all Sythe user's, including me, Would not decline a job that got you women, and cash, 5 star hotels, meeting country leaders every month, and driving the top rides, if it were not punished. He had nothing to fear, and he was gaining so much.

These "Hitmen" will continue to work, and to thrive around the world until every third world country is kissing their shoes with no end in sight.

 

I love this book :love: