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M.PHIL.

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

SUBMITTED TO
Maam Mahwash Manzoor

SUBMITTED BY
Sana Jabeen
Sidra bashir
Zahrah Akram
DATE
22-11-14
Semester 1

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Kinnaird College for Women University,


Lahore
Contents
Page No
Plot
summary3
Chapter
15
Chapter
28
Chapter
3... 10
Chapter
4.12
Chapter
5.14
Chapter
6.16
Chapter
7.18
Chapter
8.20

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Chapter
9.22
Chapter
10.25
Chapter
1127
Chapter

12

.29
Chapter
13..31
Chapter
14..33
Chapter
1536
Chapter
1637
Chapter
17.39
Chapter
18.41
Chapter
19.43
Chapter
20.44
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Chapter21
46
Chapter
2248
Chapter
23.50
Chapter
24..52
Chapter
25..54
Chapter
2656
Chapter
2758
Chapter
28.60
Chapter
29.62
Chapter
30..64
Chapter
31.66
Chapter
32..68
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Chapter
33
70
Chapter
34
72
Chapter
35..74
End
notes
.76

Summary plot

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man are the story of a man whose conscience was
too strong to let him sleep at night. An economic hit man (EHM) is a man that works
to convince foreign countries to accept large loans for engineering or construction
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projects, such as power plants, highways, electric systems etc..., knowing that the
growth of the country will never be great enough to pay back the loan. Countries then
default on the loan and are at the mercy of its creditors, usually the World Bank,
USAID or the International Monetary Fund. These three creditors, which are not the
only ones, are all owned by the United States, whose government can call on these
companies to ask indebted nations for favours, such as a U.N. vote, a military base
abroad or even oil. This is how the writer and narrator, John Perkins, states is the way
the modern empire is conquering the world.
The first few chapters take us through John's beginnings as a young man, from
attending an all-boys high school to turning down the Ivy League for his parents and
trying to dodge the draft bullet by joining the Peace Corps. Throughout the book he
talks about the coincidences that a person goes through that shapes one's life and how
once he stepped foot in the corporatocracy, his life's coincidences were no more based
on fate, than by the plans of the higher ups that fed off people with his personality
traits. He was a hard worker, desensitized to his own feelings and could seal deals by
convincing himself that he was the best at what he did. He is given a job at MAIN, a
consulting and engineering group, and even though he lacks expertise to create
foreign economic forecasts, he figures out a way to do them and do them the way the
company needs them to be doneby showing vast economic growth, regardless of
the country's situation.
He does this throughout his career, at first believing that he was helping people, but in
the pit of his stomach knowing he was doing more harm than good. He spent years
justifying his work, assuring himself he was just doing his job and that he wasn't the
bad guy. But then, finally, his conscience catches up to him. He quits his job, writes a
few books, then in the spirit of Thomas Paine and a few political leaders who weren't
scared to go against the establishment, he writes this book, revealing the evil of the
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economic soldier. This "tell all" book takes the reader through the history of the
modern-day empire and how it is shaping the world we live in and at the same time
keeping people completely disconnected from reality.

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Chapter 1
An Economic Hit Man Is Born

Characters:

John Perkins
Ann
Priscilla
Judy
Frank
Fahad

Location: America
Introduction: The novel starts with the personal background and family life of the
JP. JP told that he belongs to a middle class family but his parents are quite educated.
Like his parents got scholarships at college, being first in their families. His mother
was a high school Latin teacher, while the father was Navy lieu-tenant and in charge
of marine tanker in the Atlantic.

Summary: When he was born, in Hanover, in 1945, New Hampshire, his father
was in war and saw him after a year. After World War 2 his father joined the Tilton
School, a boarding school for boys, to teach languages. Then author told that the
school is a symbol of arrogant culture where mostly the boys are bud of wealthy
families. JP pronounced his family as cash starved in the school. As his family have
abundant facilities but the salary in form of cash is very less. In such lavish
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environment the teachers and staff feel themselves superior of local natives. The
Tilton School was from 9-12 grades.
The prior studies of JP were from elementary school. The school friends belong to
lower class. While his parents refrain him from having friendship with his school
mates. Ann, Priscilla, and Judy his girlfriends are also from the peasant class. Every
year JP spent the three months of summer vacation at a lake cottage, built by his
grandfather. And being an only child, he imaginatively considered woods to make his
stories, like the usual children do.
After joining Tilton School he left his life with his friends from lower class, as his
parents wished. But in this new social system he did not fit well and ultimately felt he
alone and frustrated. His parents told him, to study at Tilton School is a life time
opportunity, and his wife will be from high moral standards. While JP, the young boy,
imagine having companionship-sex with the slut girlfriends. Ultimately he
concentrated all his worries, on excelling. And become an honor student, captain of
two varsity teams, editor of the school newspaper.
During his senior year, JP was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Brown and an
academic scholarship to Middlebury. He liked Brown but ultimately choose what his
father liked, Middlebury.
Here author states beautifully the philosophy of life and freewill as, I have come to
understand that life is composed of a series of coincidences. How we react to these
how we exercise what some refer to as free will is everything; the choices we make
within the boundaries of the twists of fate determine who we are.
In middle burry two coincidences occur in Middlebury which shaped his life. He met
an Iranian boy who was the son of personal advisor of shah. He was professional
player of soccer in Rome. Fahad encourage me in drink, parties He ignore his parents
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and did not concentrate on his study which plummeted in grades and he lost his
scholarship .his father threatened him to disown him. He and Fahad left the
Middlebury and move to Boston. In Boston john get the job of personal assistant to
the editor in chief in Sunday advertiser. And join Boston universitys college of
business administration.
Secondly, he met Ann she was beautiful young women but she was already in
relationship with any other guy. But after some year she had breakup with him. She
was graduated but he still had another year to complete .He want her attention but she
was refused until they get married. Because of his parents attitude he enjoy her
company and they get married.
The friend of Anns father, she called him uncle frank this was not his real name. He
works as an executive in national security agency (NSA). The idea to fight in
Southeast Asia always fascinated me. After couples of tests and interviews, He was
offered a job to start training in the art of spy.
John attended a seminar at Boston University focused on volunteering for Peace
Corps. He had always dreamed of living with native people. He and Ann applied in
peace crops and request to assignment in Amazon. But he was very disappointed to
known that they were sent them in Ecuador. He and Ann complete his training as
Peace Corps volunteer.
A man from a private consulting firm came to visit John and Ann, which marked the
beginning of John's association with the world of political domination through
economic control. The consulting firm worked for the World Bank primarily. They
submitted their analyses and opinions of whether foreign governments should be
granted huge loans by the World Bank to fund development projects. The firm kept a
very low profile. In fact, they were registered officially as an engineering firm but at
that time they were beginning to take on economists to provide the World Bank with
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statistical information gathered on each project the bank was considering funding.
The agent from MAIN International Consulting Firm praised John and Ann's efforts
in the Central American jungle nation of Ecuador. He also requested that John
analyses the local political, social, and economic environment and report back to the
NSA with his observations. Perkins did so loyally. Upon the completion of their time
with the Peace Corps John was offered a job as an economist at MAIN International.
Soon after being hired Perkins came to realize that, although he was hired as an
economist, his real job was much closer to that of a secret, or double, agent.

Chapter 2
In For Life

Characters:
John Perkins
Mohammed Mossadegh
Claudine

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Location: America
Introduction: In this chapter John explained how he came to know the real politics
of company and what company actually done. There he came to know he is chosen
for another purpose. In for life means if he accept the work for which he was hire
he will in for life.

Summary: After accepting the position and beginning his daily work at MAIN
International Perkins began to wonder what it was the MAIN International was in the
business of doing. He observed the way the company worked and was structured but
he was unsure as to what the goal of the corporation was as a whole. He remarks that
there is an obvious gender bias with many women working at the level of secretary
but almost none in the executive ranks. The public library was where Perkins spends
most of his days researching his first assignment, the Indonesian island of Java, as
well as a possible future assignment, Kuwait. He studied the history of the countries
from economic and political perspectives.
One day while studying up on the format of common economic forecasts an attractive
woman, Claudine, approaches Perkins. She explains to him that she holds a very
significant position within the corporation and she was to be his tutor, of sorts, in
actual position. She goes on to inform Perkins that he was select to be an Economic
Hit Man. What that meant, essentially, was that Perkins was to make economic
estimates for the prospect of a country that may be granted a huge loan from the
World Bank. The kingpin being that Perkins was to always produce statistics that
favored the loan being granted and showed increased economic prosperity for the
country as a direct result of whatever the loan was to fund. Basically, on the long term
if Perkins could be depended on to produce the desired reports and statistics the loan
would be funded by the World Bank.

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The money from the loans went directly to international firms, like MAIN
International, Bechtel, and Halliburton, amongst others. The contractors were paid off
and the country to which the loan was granted would be left with a huge debt burden
for many decades to come. The debt that was owed would be used by the United
States government to spread the American global agenda. Because of the huge debt
the leaders of such countries would submit to supporting US military ventures, and
providing political support.
Claudine goes onto explain the history of using economic power as a means of
control and submission by the American government. There is a brief foray into the
1951 ouster of the democratically elected leader of Iran, Mohammed Mossadegh.
This event marks the first occasion the American government unrestricted the typical
pressure tactic of applying military might to affect the outcome of a foreign dilemma,
and instead opted for the more subtle techniques of bribery and threats. Then she
informs Perkins that he has a limited amount of time to decide whether or not he will
accept the position for which he was hired.
She promises a very rewarding future for him in his family but makes openly clear
that once he accepts the job he is "in for life". Perkins is, at first, hesitant that his
actions will not produce a positive result for all affected by his work. He concludes
that he can do more good by working from the inside and that he was certainly the
exception to the rule in his profession. He was not going to be seduced by money,
power, and sex, although he had already been seduced quite completely by Claudine
in the Boston Public Library

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Chapter 3
Indonesia Lessons For An EHM

Characters:
John Perkins
Claudine

Location: Boston; America


Introduction: This chapter is basically an extremely brief overview of the history
of political dominance in the island nation of Indonesia. In this chapter he said while
learning about his new career, he also spent time reading books about Indonesia. John
describes Indonesia had rich fabrics and spices.

Summary: John spent much time learning about Indonesia. Perkins describes the
long history of imperial domination by the Dutch who leaders saw Indonesia as the
crown jewel in their empire because of its spices and rich fabrics. Early in the 20th
century the Dutch finally gave up control over the islands of Indonesia, which began
a brief period of independence. A revolution in 1965 resulted in Communist forces
associated with the Chinese taking control.
American fear of growing Communist powers throughout the world prompted the US
government to take action in Indonesia. They came up with a program for providing
electric power to Indonesia which would ultimately lead to an on-going American
existence in the region. John's first assignment was to take assessment of the
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proposed electrification plan. Before setting off, Perkins met Claudine for a private
dinner in her apartment.
Once there she warned him to never speak of their meetings or that fact that they had
ever even met because she would deny it all. He also noted that, in fact, his
relationship with Claudine was completely separate from MAIN International and
untraceable as all their meetings had occurred in her apartment. Looking back in
reflection Perkins sees that his relationship with Claudine was one the major factors
of his break up with his wife Ann.

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Chapter 4
Saving A Country From Communism

Characters:
John Perkins
Charlie

Location: Jakarta; Indonesia


Introduction: This chapter briefly explains how MAIN International contract with
Indonesia is beneficial for US government and worst for Indonesia, he explained this
contract would not benefit the majority of Indonesian It would make a few men at the
top of the population pyramid rich and force everyone else deeper into debt, despair,
and poverty.

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Summary: John and his colleague went Indonesia for his first assignment. John
was very curious about Indonesia but when he reached Indonesia it was quiet
different what hi think about it. He wants to experience women in elegant colorful
costumes glamorous spices he even could not wait for it. When he did arrive,
however, he was threatened with a very different reality. His colleagues group of
engineers and economist booked a penthouse of the nicest hotel in Jakarta, for three
months while carrying out their mission.
John explains Charlie Illingworth, the project manager, as war expert. Who briefly
explains the mission to come over here John noticed he always keep himself busy in
studying books based on the history of Indonesia. He explains why they chose
Indonesia because Java is most popular place in world if they supply electricity
people in world came to know about the contribution of America to the countries then
America become famous all over the world. Of course there was also a mission
behind the mission who was to keep Communism out of the island nation and provide
all the electricity related infrastructure required for oil extraction, production, and
exportation. In this contract, America will provide labor and design which help to
build a relationship between the Indonesian government and the American
businessmen, due to this contract America will get double benefits.
John know there dirty minds so he keeps distance from them usually he had trouble
sleeping because he know his colleagues are greedy and they will be harmful for him.
John came to know this contract is not beneficial for Indonesians as it seems. The
promotion of capitalism and electricity would not benefit the majority of Indonesian.
It would make a few men at the top of the population pyramid rich and force
everyone else deeper into debt, despair, and poverty.

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Chapter 5
Selling My Soul

Characters:
John Perkins
Charlie
Howard Parker
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Location: Jakarta; Indonesia


Introduction: In this chapter John tell how Charlie make plan. Selling my soul
means he sell himself for company.

Summary: In early days they spent one week in Jakarta. After than Charlie make
plan to move in smaller city because they dont want any rule of country interrupt
them. Capital city have strict government rules. From this group Charlie order one
person to go embassy and got all necessary paperwork for their stay in Indonesia,
after this they were moved to Bandung, into a Dutch colonial style villa. They were
given a lot of privileges like servants, private vehicles, drivers and translator.
Charlie design a frame work for this mission he explained for first few weeks they
gathered data, then the economic projection for growth would be made, which would
allow the engineers to design and build the necessary components of an electrical
system that would supply the power to the region. John noticed Charlie always
stressed over and over again the importance of favorable economic forecasts, and
then John relies the critical nature to the project as a whole.
Then John tell about a person whose name was Howard Parker, that was the chief
load forecaster for the New England Electric System. John noticed he is a failure
person who never was able to reach his own career goals. He noticed it when they had
conversation about the acceptability of such a healthy economic forecast. But this
conversation upsets John because Howard Parker blamed him he is coming here for
money. After this John thinks and makes plan his mind and he set his on dilemma. He
conclude that if he held the company line and made predictions that were designed to
please his employers rather than accurately predict the economic growth of the
region, it would be no problem because Howard would make accurate predictions and
the company would prefer his because of his seniority and rank. John slept well
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thinking he had solved his own dilemma. The next morning however, Howard Parker
is struck ill with a severe amoebic attack and is forced to return to the United States.

Chapter no 6
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My Role as Inquisitor
Characters:
Charlie
Rasy

Location:
Bandung; Indonesia
Jakarta; Indonesia

Introduction: In this chapter JP gave details of his trip in the narrow areas of
Bandung and Jakarta. JP gave the details of social culture over there.

Summary: JP was designated to visit major population area, covered by master


plan. This was requirement by the Indonesian government, the Asian Development
Bank, and USAID. He met with local business and political leaders and listened to
their opinions about the prospects for economic growth. Most of them were reluctant,
and suspected him, to provide information and redirect him to their bosses or
headquarters at Jakarta.

There he met the son of these visits manager, Rasmon or Rasy. Rasy was an
economics student and had great interest in JPs work. Rasy taught JP Bahasa
language very nicely. Bahasa is the common known language among the 350
languages of Indonesia. Racy accompanied JP on his motor scooter and show him the
beautiful unseen Indonesia. They enjoyed shadow puppet shows, musicians, fire
blowers etc. and finally reached at coffee house. The place has theme of Beatles
concert as in late 1960. At the coffee shop the Rasy and his friends treated JP as of
their own. Friends of Rasy can speak English.
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They ask why Americans never learned their language. JP had no answer. Nor could
JP explain why he was the only American or European in this part of the city, even
though the Indonesian could always find plenty of Americans at the Golf and Racket
Club, the posh restaurants, the movie theaters, and the upscale supermarkets.
JP enjoyed their company like the Peace Corps and wondered why he had separated
himself from people like these. That experience arouse for spending more time away
from his team.But the next morning, when JP met Charlie, he showed frustrated to
obtain information from local people. And needed statistics could be found at Jakarta
government offices. Here JP told that I liked to spend time at Jakarta but apparently
JP detested the idea. Just to show Charlie.
JP found himself that after spending time with Rasy and his friends, he have changed.
He found himself to saw his fellow American in different light. His material approach
regarding stay at Indonesia, have totally changed. During his visit he noticed that the
business and political leaders disliked his presence. They called JP as an inquisitor
and interrogator in their native language, without the information that JP knew that
language. Although apparently they deal JP with great hospitality, they avoid seeing
him, delaying meetings, did not reply on phone.
The industry owners gave JP, five-and ten-year plans, the bankers had charts and
graphs, and the government officials provided lists of projects that were in the process
of leaving the drawing boards to become engines of economic growth. Everything
these captains of commerce and government provided, and all they said during the
interviews, indicated that Java was poised for perhaps the biggest boom any economy
had ever enjoyed. No one not a single person ever questioned this premise or
gave JP any negative information.
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In the end of this chapter JP, it is disturbing the author that all of this activity is just
game than reality. JP stated that It was as though we were playing a game of poker.
We kept our cards hidden. We could not trust each other or count on the reliability of
the information we shared. Yet, this game was deadly serious, and its outcome would
impact millions of lives for decades to come.

CHAPTER 7
Civilization on Trial
Characters
Dalang
Rasy and his friends

Location: Bandung; Indonesia


Introduction: In this chapter JP told about the puppet show Dalang in detail, with
the emotions of a common man Indonesian toward America as state.

Summary: Rasy took JP to a see a dalang, which is famous Indonesian puppet


master. Rasy drove him to the area of traditional Javanese kampong houses, where the
poor people are beautiful dressed. Everybody greeted him with smile and children
like him. Then at the venue of dalang show, JP observed several hundred people. It
was located at center of city but no street lights were there. This actually depicts the
poor infrastructure, or lack of basic facilities at Bandung. The friends of Rasy also
joined them. Then the music of gamalong started. It was unforgettable night for JP.

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They sat to watch the dalang. He was entertaining at first, until he pulled out a puppet
of President Nixon dressed as Uncle Sam. The play then became description on
American imperialism, both in Middle East and Indonesia. He just picking poor
countries from the map of world and putting it into the bucket. He also said some anti
Islamic words. The crowd became very blown, and at that time JP felt frightened. He
observed that he is the only American in the crowd. While Rasy told him that there is
nothing personally against him.
Then the puppet of president picked Indonesia from the map. Important dialogues
stroke his conscious that, "Give this one to the World Bank. See what it can do to
make us some money off Indonesia." One puppet represented a popular Indonesian
politician, who "saved" Indonesia from the United States. Everyone applauded, but
John felt ashamed and confused. After the show John, Rasy and his friends went out
to a coffeehouse.
They told him that the U.S. desires to take over the world and employ religion to
legitimize its actions. If it shows that Islam is the devil religion, then the people will
allow the U.S. to go to war. Rasy's woman friend said that religion is essential for
battle, and that the Muslims are very dedicated. Right now the Muslims are silent, but
"like a snake will strike." The U.S. needs to stop being greedy and open their hearts to
the millions of suffering people in the world before it's too late. The Indonesian
politician represented in the puppet show was killed by hit and run driver, several
days later.

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CHAPTER 8
Jesus, Seen Differently
Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
Jakarta: Indonesia
Paris; France

Introduction: This chapter is solely about the thought process of author about his
role and the role of America in name of foreign aid, in the developing countries.
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Summary: Here JP refers his experience of Dalang, which threw him to the depth
of thinking. He was worried about the role of America in Indonesia. But to satisfy
himself he said, that ultimately he and his fellows have to do some job to take care of
themselves and their families. Through the discussion of young Indonesian, JP found
that the prejudiced approach to annual reports of corporation, election strategies of
politicians, foreign policy does not protect future generations of America or
anywhere.
JP needed a number of visits to Jakarta to get needed data. During his time in Jakarta,
he thought about the matters of American imperialism and write about them in a
journal. He moved in the lowest class of city, like with beggars, prostitutes and
laborers. Then JP think about the role which developed countries are playing in less
developed countries, in so called name of foreign aid. JP found the aid is only
convenient to developed countries.
The questions of JP mind are, if the objective of foreign aid is imperialism, is that so
wrong? and why Americans want others to follow them, as they have least happy
society in world?
Here the writer used the term innocence for further elaboration. That he is no more
innocent in all this matter. All Americans depend of lower developing countries for
resources and cheap labor. But Americas loan, in form of foreign aid, ensures the
children of lower developing countries held hostages. They will have to allow the
American corporations to ruin their natural resources and sacrifice education, health
and other social services to pay back to America. And the funds of loan used to build
roads; bridges etc are funded back to American organizations. And ultimately
Americans get benefit from these. If the Americans on whole, do not know this
mechanism of exploitation, are they still are innocent?
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Then JP thought about the possibility of holy world war and get convinced. But it
would be between developing and developed economies, rather than Muslims vs.
Christians.
JP told that the developed countries are users while the developing countries are
suppliers of the natural resources. And might is right, as America is exercising. JP
knew that if the suppliers are exploited long, they will rise up. JP said like colonial
minutemen, Muslims were aggressive to fight for their rights, and like the British in
the 1770s, we classified such actions as terrorism. History appeared to be repeating
itself.
During his last night in Indonesia, JP dreamed, JP had seen Jesus Christ, who had
dark curly hair and a dark complexion. Jesus pull up a car axle on his shoulder with a
wheel protrude above his head so that it looked like a halo. Grease dripped from his
eyes instead of tears and then Jesus said "If I were to come now, you would see me
differently. Because the world has changed," JP knew that he, too, had changed, but
he didn't yet know to what extent.
On his way back to Boston, JP stayed at Paris to have reconciliation with Ann. But
ended up at Boston, headed towards their departments, separately.

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Chapter no 9
Opportunity of a Lifetime

Characters

Charlie
Bruno
Howard Parker
Claudine
Paul Mormino

Location:
Boston, America

Introduction: This chapter told about the after effects of the Indonesian
assignment on the life of author, in material and cognitive way.

Summary: After reaching at the boston, JP came to know that his boss einer is
promoted and now he would report to Bruno Zambotti, Nicknamed "the silver fox.
Mr bruno as engineer and MBA. His qualification is suitable for this type of power
projects. JP was terrified with Bruno.He was called at Bruno office, before lunch. In
the meetin Bruno told JP that he fired Mr Howard Parker due to the unpleasant
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forecast of only 8%. And then referred the JP forecast that shows the growth of 17 to
20%. Bruno gave him the news of promotion.
JP told that he was dieing to see Claudine and wanted to tell her about his promotion
and experiences at Indonesia. Bt her contact number is invalid. After that JP checked
Cluadine apartment, but found no clue. Only JP office file showed her as consultant,
but JP dont access to details of the file. JP was very emotional after missing
Claudine, even promotion of JP seems him meaningless or more like disturbing. Even
in such threat he started thinking as Claudine might got assassinated. In the afternoon,
his chief summoned him at office and gave him the good news. JP got a bit cheer
after the information that he promoted as chief economist and got a pay raise as well.
After this news he took afternoon off and relaxed himself. He thought that Claudine
had done her job and had moved ahead. And put the thoughts of Claudine aside.
In the next weeks he revised Howards forecast, and grew demand to 17 percent for
eight more years, and then holding at 15 percent for the remainder of the twenty-fiveyear projection. He presented his conclusions at the meetings with international
lending agencies. The teams questioned him harshly. But he answered and convinced
him confidently. And finally the report got an approval from the lending agencies.
In the above context JP narrated that it was Claudine how advised JP, to be confident.
And, then thought about his competitive edge as compared to other men in the
company. Like the stay of JP at Amazon and Java. Later he met with shah of Iran, the
Presidents of several countries and head of World Bank. And found that communism
and terrorism are established as but he and his fellowmen had a duty to promote
capitalism. And the a capitalist transfer this heritage to his generation.
Here are some questions which he rose in his mind, and answered, given below.
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Q: who benefits from war and the mass production of weapons, from the damming of
rivers and the destruction of indigenous environments and cultures, which benefits
when hundreds of thousands of people die from insufficient food, polluted water, or
curable diseases?
Answer: In the long run no one benefits, but in the short term those at the top of the
pyramid Mains bosses and JP appeared to benefit, at least materially.
Q: Why does this situation persist? Why has it endured for so long?
Answer: "might is right.
Later JP discussed that American system of capitalist pyramid hierarchy and slavery
is not only practiced today, but quiet advent in history. And this is and was the cause
of most wars, pollution, starvation, species extinctions, and genocides.
About thinking all about above mentioned questions, JP considered himself as
Economist, rather than Economic Hit man.
In the end of this chapter, JPs boss appreciated him for good work done. He told JP
that they were going to give JP the life time opportunity.

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Chapter no 10
Panama's President and Hero

Characters
Omar Torrijos

Location
Panama

Introduction: In this chapter author throws some light on history of Panama and
introduce Omar Torrijos, leader at Panama.

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Summary: Jp reached at panama with other executives. On his way to hotel he told
about his knowledge of Spanish language and Omar Torrijos. Omar Torrijos was hero
of panama. Literature told JP that people liked Torrijos, because he was a strong
defender of right to self rule and sovereignty over Panama Canal, of Panama.
Panama Canal was started by a French engineer, and ended in disaster in 1889. The
canal would connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
In 1903, President Roosevelt sent in the U.S. warship Nashville. U.S. soldiers landed,
seized and killed a popular local militia commander, and declared Panama an
independent nation. A puppet government was installed and the first Canal Treaty was
signed. The arrangements of Americans around the canal gave Washington virtual
control over Panama. In all these deals no Panamian involved, but the Americans and
French engineer. Later the capitalist social system was established. In the system the
wealthy families of panama ensured that Panama promote U.S. interest. It may be
CIA support, anticommunist activities, support to large American businesses like
Rockefeller's Standard Oil and United Fruit Company. While the lower tier of this
capitalist pyramid lived in awful poverty or being the slaves to big corporations.
While around 1968, Torrijos appeared as a true leader. Torrijos himself belong to
lower middle class. Parents of Torrijos are taught in school. Torrijos started his job in
primary military unit. He support and healed the lower class, to his limit and become
popular.
Torrijos love for his country reached beyond Panamas border. Torrijos was
committed to turning his nation into a haven for fugitives from persecution, a place
that would offer asylum to refugees from both sides of the political fence, from leftist
opponents of Chile's Pinochet to right-wing anti-Castro guerrillas. Many people saw
him as an agent of peace.
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Perkins writes about the Monroe Doctrine and its ridiculous premise that the United
States has special rights granted by God over all the hemisphere. Under the doctrine,
the U.S. could invade any nation that refused to back U.S. policies. He also mentions
the School of the Americas, which is located in the canal zone of Panama. This
establishment was designed and run by the U.S. government as a tropical warfare
training school which specialized in interrogation and covert operational skills.
In the end of this chapter the mental resonance of JP is stated. On one side an outburst
of guilt caught JP that he was going to make such financial forecasts which will led
Panama again to slavery and on the other side JP thought about his career progress.

Chapter no 11
Pirates in the Canal Zone

Characters:
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Fidel; govt representative of Panama

Location
Panama

Introduction: The chapter is about the visit of JP around the canal in American
community and the contrasting slum area, of Panama.

Summary: The next day after reaching at Panama, JP met Fidel. Who at the first
instance admires his ability to speak Spanish, as other American lived at Panama did
not bother to. After a round to new Panama, JP came across bay. There JP came to
know that half the traffic was meant for Japan.
Then Fidel took JP to remains of ancient fort built to protect the city against English
pirates. There JP met an American family, living along canal from their four
generations. The interesting part is the Americans consider the canal in the territory of
America. The American called Torrijos, as dictator. Here the author apparently took
the side of Panama. And offensively said in Spanish, Adios, I hope you and your
family have a good time here, and learn lots about Panama's culture."Fidel liked JP
and said him thank you.
Then Fidel took JP to the slum area. The place, its decaying boats, smell of rot and
sewage and begging children, remind JP, Jakarta. There in the slum area, JP saw a
number to anti-American posters of Torrijos. Then Mr. Fidel took him to other side,
the Canal Zone. The area around the canal was full of lush green lawns, resorts and
beautiful mansions. It showed the wealth around. The golf courses, American post
offices, the court of law were all American. Author told it a country within a country.
JP called this phenomenon as affront.

Page 34

In end of this chapter, Mr. Fidel told some economic figures. Fidel told that in the city
the per capital income is less than one thousand dollars per annum and unemployment
rate is 30%. And I seemed, Torrijos was a hope for them.

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Chapter 12
Soldiers and Prostitutes

Characters:
John Perkins
Fidel

Location:
Panama

Introduction: This whole chapter covers the story of soldiers and Prostitutes. John
tells how Fidel bring him in street of prostitutes and Fidel tell the story of Prostitutes
and background of the prostitute.

Summary: After juicy steak and bear John and Fidel left the restaurant and drove
down a dark street. They moved to the street which was full of light. Fidel warned
him never come this street without body guard. While walking in street two young
boys pointing each other and making sounds of shooting guns. One of them knocked
on Fidel legs. They apologized with Fidel. John asked them what you are doing. Then
they explained they were playing a shootout game where the older brother was acting
as the US General in charge of the canal zone, while the younger brother was an
inborn Panamanian looking for revenge and shouting for the general to go home. John
asked them why they are doing this elder brother said once gringo general try to rape

Page 36

their mother, thats why they are playing this game. John said your mother are
working there the brother nodded their heads and said proudly yes.
After this Fidel and John moved to the bar. When John arrived at bar he noticed the
women who are dancing and stripping they have American features. They are
entertaining off duty soldiers from the Canal

Zone. Fidel explained John, the

waitresses Panamanian women are not allowed for prostitution by law they cannot
dance in bar. And not touched by the man in bar. The stripping women are foreigners.
The room is lined with Panamanian men with sharp eyes for everything going on in
the bar. John and Fidel enjoyed a lot there. They enjoyed by the dance of stripping
women. They felt themselves very happy in such a debauched environment.
While enjoying suddenly a soldiers caught a waitress and one of them was twisting
her wrist. She was cry loudly by pain. Then the owner of club said you are not
allowed to touch her if you want her then you have to pay money for her. Fidel
explained John, the waitresses Panamanian women are not allowed for prostitution by
law they cannot dance in bar.
While enjoying Fidel lighted the background of these women he said some of them
are forced to come here, some are kidnaped from other countries. Some are flew from
others countries for their on interest. But they are torcher here. Fidel tell many of
them are Suffered through many years they lost much some of them lost their
families. Fidel noticed the striping who entertain the soldiers are no so bad, by
entertaining them they got opportunity to earn more and start out new somewhere.

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Chapter 13
Conversations with the General

Characters:
John Perkins
General
Omar Torrijos

Location:
Panama

Introduction: This chapter covers the whole conversation between John and
General Omar Torrijos. How he invited him and make he know that he know about
his organizations plan how they play with poor countries and how they use these

Page 38

countries for their own interests. General offer him something how its important for
John and also for his company.

Summary: John tells the invitation was completely unexpected. While working at
office a man knocked at door when John welcomed him and asked why he came here
he said he is Generals chauffeur and he came here to take him to one of their
Generals bungalows. John describes General as well informed person about the
world events and affairs and he is also well informed about the role of CIA and US in
international affairs. He was dressed casually, in typical Panamanian style. He was
tall, fit and handsome person. The two men speak of the over throw of Mohamman
Mossadegh in Iran in the early fifties that was orchestrated by the CIA.
General cleared him that he knows the real face of MAIN and others organizations
like MAIN. He also makes it known to John that he aware of the game his company
who are playing with poor countries. He tells brief history of Guatemala and United
Fruit .During his conversation he tell John America pilot bombed on Guatemala. The
new government owed everything to United Fruit. Historians trace the violence and
terrorism that overwhelmed Guatemala for most of the rest of the century to the not
so secret association between United Fruit, the CIA, and the Guatemalan army under
its colonel dictator. Suddenly General Questioned him do you know who owned
United Fruit. John reply yes Zapata Oil, George Bush's company. General said he is
against to the partners of Bechtel. After long conversation John wondered what the
nature of his visit here so he directly asks to General why did you invite me?"
General said if follow his instructions the contract which will be given to the Bechtel
will be given to the MAIN .John murmured so what is you instructions what you want
from me? General explains that if you massage all over the world Panama is a strong
country and it stand without the help of China, Cuba, and US and this order is given
to them in order to follow through with his mission to improve Panama for the good
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of its people, including the poor, he must find a way to fund massive infrastructure
projects. He is opposite to giving this contract to Bechtel and he explained a lot of
reasons in this chapter. General clear on John MAIN will receive this contract without
any arguments if he follows his instructions.
John feel if he do so how he praised by others. He thinks his self not as EHM but as a
chief economist. One day Bruno called me in his office he appreciate me and also
asked me by the blessing of them he get this opportunity.

Chapter 14
Entering a New Sinister Period in Economic
History

Characters:
Page 40

John Perkins
McNamara

Location:
Boston
Introduction: Entering a New Sinister Period in Economic History means
entering in the evil period in economic history. In this chapter John briefly explain
how he enters in evil period. John explained how some people play a role to making a
history for example McNamara. When he started he was economist then he got
success in life, how? John explains in this chapter.

Summary: He explained as an economic analyst his duty is not only study the
information around the world he should be familiar with the current trends and
theories. A group of the countries had Formed OPEC (The cartel of oil-producing
nations) they formed because they want a company who response to the power of the
big purifying companies. John always thinks what OPEC and Embargo actually done
what their cause and effect to global economy. He always fails to answer it. John said
when its formed world face oil crisis. Even OPEC countries were getting the upper
hand. The economic growing rate becomes half during 1950s and 1960s. John said
during this crises America was also facing very worst time like Nixon Watergate
incident not limited in country.
Johns colleagues and friends discuss these problems like Keynesian economics they
always discuss government should play major role health, unemployment
compensation etc. John said they talked about other people like small guy never got
control in country most of people from group did not know EHMs limited them.
John talked about the purpose of creation of organizations like World Bank, IMF, and
GATT. The reason behind it is world war 2 and depression. After this John explained
Page 41

the man name McNamara. John said he always be part of our discussion. John said
how he got success in life. He promotes the aggressive leadership which is use now
in all business universities all around the world. McNamara started his career from
Ford Motor Company. He was financial adviser there then Kennedy appointed him
secretary of defense.
McNamara became a strong advocate of a Keynesian approach to government, using
Mathematical models and statistical approaches to determine troop levels, allocation
of funds, and other strategies in Vietnam. He was economist but his various job
shocked many people. Then he became president of the World Bank which is most
powerful bank in the world. John always thinks McNamara has great contribution to
the history. Like McNamara many other objects influence John he wondered how
people were an obvious breach in the separation of powers.
At the end of the chapter John explained how EHMs were achieving many of their
objectives in many places like Indonesia. And they use old patterns.

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Chapter 15
The Saudi Arabian Money Laundering Affair

Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
Saudi Arabia
Introduction: In this chapter John briefly explained how Saudi Arabia entered in
international laundry game. How he played as a role of EHM.

Summary: This chapter started with photos which shocked John an ambassador
from Saudi Arabia showing him some photos of Riyadh where goats delving among
the Government building. He shocked more when he came to know that they were the
city's main garbage disposal system. He was shocked what are these goats are doing
there which is world largest oil giant. After this John explains the living patterns of
the Saudi Arabia all of them are Muslims who pray five times in a day women cover
their bodies. He said they had very strict rules that do not follow the rules like they
cut their hands.
Egypt president pressured on Saudi Arabia to react against US. Iran also forced Saudi
Arabia to react against the US. So they increase 70 % of the price of oil. When oil
embargo ends. US planned for the very next time they will not bear oil embargo.
After this John explained that Saudis are very wealthy they bought new cars
spending lavish life. So America offer them some trainings, technical support to bring
Page 43

them compete with twentieth century. The US and Saudi Arabia Joint Economic
Commission known as JECOR which imposed that Saudi Arabia should hire
Americas firm to build up their nation.
So they pick John as adviser from MAIN what was the job of John he mapped out
what happened if Saudi Arabia spend vast money on its infrastructure John conduct
scenarios. He got many bonuses during this year. As a EHM his duty was provide
good infrastructure and forced them contract with Americas firms. During this he
also came to know the OPEC economist forced the countries which are oil giant that
they should provide cured oil so than they sell to other countries on higher prices.
During the contract with Saudi Arabia, US provide them highways, buildings ect.
America just do it for their on fame that if some visited Saudi Arabia they will always
praised US for their work. Saudi Arabia lived in passed, they hired labor from poor
countries and take work from them. While analysis John always keep his mind that
Saudi Arabia should be dependent on US. The other countries feeling threaten. The
target of US was they will not feel any shortage of oil in future so when they feel this
shortage they again make deal with Saudi Arabia by forcing.
So in this game John play very pretty role. He was assign for another work which was
to brain wash the Saudi prince W. His job was forced prince that dealing with US is
beneficial for Saudi and for prince also. John pretty explained how he conducts
favorable analysis for US and how its helpful for them and how its helpful for him
also.

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Chapter 16
Pimping, and Financing Osama Bin Laden

Characters:
John Perkins
Prince W
Sally

Location:
Boston; America

Introduction: This chapter cover whole story that how John provide entertainment
to the prince W by pretty women. He briefly explained how he gets contracts from
Page 45

Saudi Arab and how he work in good manners. He conducts analysis at the favor of
US. As EHM he play fantastic role. He help US to got fame that US can Change and
enhance the infrastructure of other countries. At the end of the chapter John disclose
that how Bush family, Laden Family and house of Saud are behind the 9/11 incident.

Summary: Prince let him know that whenever he visited in Boston John should
arrange pretty woman for him and she should not be a prostitute she should be from
some nice family. John remember once he arranged a girl Sally whose husband was
pilot and she want earn extra money. He said MAIN strictly prohibited illegal
activities he was confuse because he was doing illegal work like providing woman for
prince so he got idea he us his personal accounts for this purpose. Price said he will
keep the Sally in his personal cottage. It was new thing these woman are work at
contract bases. But Sally refuses to go there after forcing here after couple of weeks
she admires to go to Saudi Arabia. John explained how Lebanese became wealthy.
They do this type contracts and earn more. They arrange girls for royal princes. So he
gets Lebanese numbers from his friends to provide pretty girls for Prince.
After great struggle entire package was approved by Royal family. MAIN got very
profitable contract from them. The contract was developing their country. So this
forecasting John and three more persons go to Saudi Arabia that stayed their couple of
week. John noticed Saudi Arabia dont have equipment for thats so they purchase
from US. In 1974 Saudi Arab have a lot of luxuries like they have hotels, Up to date
hospital, Satellites, Computer systems, collages and this all blessing because of
America. As EHM John play very important role for MAIN. This contract become
very useful, US got more fame for changing and enhancing the infrastructure of
others countries. The United States made no secret of its desire to have the House of
Saud bankroll Osama bin Laden's Afghan war against the Soviet Union during the
1980s, Both Saudia and US contributed 3.5 billion to mujahideen.
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After the incident of 9/11 Saudi Arabia and US become more closer. In 2003 a
magazine disclose the relationship of house of Saud, Bush family and Usama Bin
Laden family. Its not surprising me more because I know this relationship is come
from 20 years. Bush was firstly an Ambassador of United Nations then become CIA
agent then he became president. Saudi Arab sporting an oil company where Bush was
investor. Just days after 9/11 Saudis family, Laden family and Bush found In US
private jets .John leave a question after chapter did Bush familys long help from
Saudis for 9/11 incident.

Chapter 17
Panama Canal Negotiations and Graham Greene

Characters:
Dr. Nadipuram Prasad
Jimmy Carter
Page 47

General Omar Torrijos


Bruno
Graham Greene
John Perkins

Location:
Panama

Introduction: In this chapter John briefly explained how the contract with Saudi
Arabia boosted the career of John.

Summary: The start of this chapter John tell his story of succession he said Saudi
project pay an important role to boost his career. Everybody knows him by the name
of economic manager. He earns excellence salary. John built a little empire which
includes staff from the head quarter of the MAIN. He was very happy in his life. His
colleagues got jealous from him and his status. While with his succession he neglects
her wife. He delivered lecture at Harvard University. He enjoyed with beautiful
women from several continents. While working at their Bruno give him idea to use
new tools for forecasting. This is ideal tool to justify the inflated rates increase which
show in order to obtain large loans.
For this purpose he hires Dr. Nadipuram Prasad and gives him budget and after six
month he develops Markov method for econometrics modeling. This method is used
for forecasting the impact of infrastructure investment on economic development.
This will scientific prove and the good thing which like by John is no body can argue
on the results and conclusion because it required a lot of time, money and highly
expert econometrics. They published a lot of papers. He came to know that the
analysis which he produces was not to up to date with their standard inflated. Jimmy
Carter set out to renegotiate the Canal Treaty. Its created great interest towards the
Page 48

world even people is waiting for the action of US towards it. Then he went to the
Panama. During his visit to the Panama he read the article about the Panama written
by Graham Greene.
While he met with Torrijos, in Panama, Torrijos give him his secret agreement and by
sharing these secrets they became closer and closer.
John publishes an article based on Panama, that the rights of the Canal Zone and
property should be return to Panama. Many of his colleagues are not by his act they
have argued on this article. But Bruno always appreciated John because he know if
they conduct favorable article than Torrijos will be happy and MAIN will get chance
to avail more contracts. Graham Greene use Johns article in his novel. Graham
Greene published a notification novel titled Conversations with the General, about
General Omar Torrijos.
John met with Graham Greene in hotel lobby while he was leaving for France. John
tells him his story while working with MAIN. He asked if I was the consultant there,
he had written an about the United States getting out of Panama. John surprised what
he said. John questioned to the Graham Greene why he writes articles he should write
fictions he replied fictions are safer. While leaving the lobby, Graham Greene said
why dont start a novel on your own life.

Page 49

Chapter 18
Iran's King of Kings
Characters:
John Perkins
King Shah
Yamin

Location:
Iran

Introduction: This chapter covers the discussion between the Yamin and John, and the
Succession of king Shah. Here king of kings means king Shah. This chapter tell how Shah
Become more successful. How Yumin aware him about the Flowering Desert project and

Yumin is against this project.

Summary: John said our next target was Iran because it is rich in oil like Saudi
Arabia. But the situation is completely differing from Saudi Arabia. They dont need
to finance their project and enhance it country. They built good relationship with their
neighborhood countries. So we need a different approach as we used in Saudi Arabia.
US send CIA to deposed Mohammed Mossadegh. So shah becomes king. The King
Shah was a brilliant person he run his country in good manners. So we start with this
like we announce that Iran has a great leader and Shahs Government is as good as
China, Korea. As an EHM we know how to trap people.

Page 50

In 1962 he ordered large private land holdings broken up and turned over to farmer
owners, he inaugurated his white revolution, Iran developed one of the most powerful
military forces in the Muslim so he become most powerful leader in the world. So
they start work there again they got same project there work was to design electrical
generating, transmission, which provide energy, and forecast the regional
development which cover almost all country. John visited almost all places of Iran for
survey. When he return hotel he found a letter signed by Yumin he was wondered he
dont know about him well, he open that letter where Yamin invite him in other hotel
and warn him to come alone. He also wrote in this letter if you really want to develop
Iran you should come there, John was in shock because he never knows him and may
be some want to trap him.
So he decided to go there when he reached in hotel a tall man come towards him and
introduce himself Yamin. So we sit, first he appreciate my work, and then he explain
Flowering Desert project. He said Shah believe that our desert was once forest so
we covert this desert again in to the forest, so we fertile vegetables and fruits there,
but why we do this? This is part of our environment converting it means he want
agriculture there, I dont think its a good idea I know your company earn millions but
we lost millions for this project. And it destroys our entire fabrics. It cause destroy
our environment and culture collapse. John said I agree with you.
John replies him I think this idea is given by Iran peoples. He laughed this idea is
come from Shahs mind he is US government puppet. He actually want I stop this
project. Then he tells he is part of dessert. He tells me he wants me to meet with his
friend which help him more, He appreciate me well and said you are our hope. He
also tells me his friend will shock him when he tells some facts. After this he moved
to the Hotel.
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Chapter 19
Confessions of a Tortured Man

Characters:
John Perkins
Yamin
Doc (anonymous)

Location:
Tehran; Iran
Introduction:
Summary: After many days Yamin drove me out to Tehran where we met with his
friend whom he talking about in hotel before entering their, he said the man who is
sitting inside he is PhD. You can call him Doc because he must be nameless. Yamin
Page 52

pushed the door and both enter there. The room was window less. The room was very
tiny he did not found any luxury there suddenly a man come on wheelchair his face
was covered. Yamin asked me to sit on carpet. He whispered in Doc ears and sit
beside me then he start conversation. Doc said welcome Mr. John Perkins. Doc. Said
once I was much closed to the Shah like u. His voice was very sad and some kind of
angry. He mention so very well-known leader of World he said he worked for them
and they trusted him. Shah always said all of ours who carried out the mission we
thought we had been born to fulfill."
Suddenly he move slightly in light John wondered when he saw he had no nose. He
said you cant see me in full light. He laughed and said he is dead for all and I know
you will not try to find me. John legalized how he was cruelled by someone who cut
his nose. He said you are waiting for this that why I invited you here. Shahs father
was deposed by US and I involved with them he explained sadly. The Shah is just like
Hitler who comes with evil. Shah will no longer more he hated by all Muslims
countries. John said I dont believe on you. Then Yamin said you met with only those
people who got benefits from Shah. Thats why they praised him.
Doc asked me that he should help his company to stay away from Iran. Because Shah
will go soon and Shah will not pay you any money and your company face disaster.
In short I warn you to stay away from our country. Then he negotiates with Yamni
and said we should end this conversation. While driving back John questioned him
why he chooses me, he replied that you are a person who is playing a roll of middle
man. John wondered how much he knows about him.

Chapter 20
THE FALL OF A KING
Page 53

Location:
Tehran, Rome

Character:
John Perkins
Farhad,
Farhans father,

Introduction:
In this chapter john discussed the U.S policy against the King Shah and shah fallen
from kingdom

Summary:
John was sitting at a bar in Tehran when his old friend from Middlebury, Farhad,
came up. Farhad tells john they need to leave Tehran because it was about to fall
apart. John and Farhan left Tehran for Rome. The next day they stay with Farhad
parents. His father was a retired general. He was very close with Shah. But he was
now completely very disappointed by the shah arrogance and greed behaviour. He
blamed U.S policy, backing out from Israel, corrupt leaders and of despotic
government, for hatred that was spreading throughout the Middle East. He also
predicted that shah government was gone in few months Because U.S sowed the seed
of rebellion when they overthrew the Mossadegh.
Farhad and his father told john all about the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who was a
fanatical Shiite that was urging Iranians to rise against the Shah to create a clerical
state.

Page 54

Two days after john dinner with Farhan and his parents, Iran stared bombing and riots
in Tehran led by Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah fled the country for Egypt and
Iranians demanded him back. The Islamist grabbed the American embassy to hold
hostages for the return of Shah. President negotiable with them to release the hostage
but they failed. Due to high pressure, the U.S government overthrew the shah from
United States. Torrijos of panama gave shelter to Shah. The U.S accused panama of
corruption, collusion with shah and risking the lives of American. The U.S. who had
set the Shah in power, pressed for his return to Iran.
Doc's prediction that MAIN would lose millions came true. The U.S. tried to deny the
role that it had in damaging the world. Even some people in MAIN didn't know what
was really going on, and he was certain the NSA and CIA were intentionally
encouraging everyone to keep their eyes closed.

Chapter 21
KEYSTONE OF LATIN AMERICA
Page 55

Location:
Colombia

Character:
John Perkins,
Paula

Introduction:
This chapter briefly describes the importance of Colombia in Latin America and
Paula impact on his life
Summary
A return to the old game of getting poor countries to sign contracts that they could
never repay was what was presented to Perkins in Colombia. In Colombia MAIN was
designer and lead engineering firm in hydroelectric project. Colombia is described as
being the geographical and political gateway to South America. It connects all the
southern countries to the Isthmus of Panama and both central and North America.
Colombia is rich in natural resources and has a long textured history and its people
have special quality, combining the physical, cultural and artistic traits of diverse
ethnic background ranging from local taironas to imports from other countries.
Colombia had a reputation for producing talented people like some of Latin
Americas most brilliant writers, philosophers, artists and other intellectuals.
Perkins job in Colombia was very typical as compare to other places where he
worked.it was quite easy to demonstrate that assumed start project from the debts
when project is completed repay the load from them and from the natural resources of
the country. Due to his job Perkins many time had been presented the case for
Page 56

exceedingly large loans. Perkins saw Colombia as a sort of refuge for him despite the
harm he and his company were perpetrating against the nation.
In Colombia he met an important figure in his life, Paula. She was an Italian fashion
designer with factories in Colombia. Paula helped John, in a gentle and kind manner,
to see the misconceptions behind his rationale for working as an Economic Hit Man
for MAIN. Through conversation and poking she brought him to honestly reviewing
his decisions. Perkins believes life is composed of a series of coincidences over which
we have no control, however, once we are presented with those coincidences, we
must make choices. What makes the difference in life is how we respond; what
choices we make at those critical crossroads in life. All decisions, he explained, bring
you to your current station in life. Paula was a coincidence that forced Perkins to a
decision about the direction his life was headed in. She was the catalyst that caused
him to question his role.

Page 57

Chapter 22
AMERICAN REPUBLIC VERSUS GLOBAL EMPIRE
Location:
Colombia

Character:
Manuel
Paula,
Perkins

Introduction: This chapter describe global empire materialistic approach and


American republic which was moral and philosophical

Summary:
Paula and Perkins involve in a discussion about a recent guerrilla attack on a MAIN
project site. The working class native people in Colombia disliked the dam that was
being built because they didn't want the land in the valley it was being constructed in
to be flooded. They promised to see them destroyed before they were ever completed,
no matter the cost. A Colombian foreman, Manual Torres, had been threatened by a
militant group wielding AK-47's. When Torres informed Perkins of the clash, Perkins
frightened him by claiming the militants were not simply working Colombian peers
Page 58

of the foreman, rather they were a group of pro-communism outlaws working on


behalf of China and Russia. He said that it was evident by the fact that they carried
AK-47's, a gun designed and built in Russia. Perkins knew this wasn't true and that
Torres was scared, however he pressured him to keep working on the project.
Paula tells John that his work is hurting a lot of people and that the Colombians don't
want them there. She informed him that her brother had been confined and tortured
before joining a rebel faction himself. Because of that she was privy to a lot of
information regarding the philosophy driving such groups to action. She didn't at first
tell John because she didn't think it important, and she needed to protect her brother.
Perkins was shocked to hear of her close ties to the movement which was directly
against his work.
John felt betrayed, but when he wanted to fall back on his crutch of personality traits
that the NSA and MAIN had discovered and fed on, Paula helped him turn away from
all of this. John began to think about the differences between the ideals of America
when it was a new nation as compared to what he saw happening around him then, in
the late 1970's. He described the distinction between the American Republic and a
global empire. He wrote: "The republic offered hope to the world. Its foundation was
moral and philosophical rather than materialistic. It was based on the concepts of
equality and justice for all. The global empire, on the other hand, is the republic's
nemesis. It is a self-centred, self-serving, greedy, and materialistic, a system based on
mercantilism. Like empires before, its arms open only to accumulate resources, to
grab everything in sight and stuff its insatiable maw. It will use whatever means it
deems necessary to help its rulers gain more power and riches.
Men and women that worked for companies such as MAIN were oblivious to the
harm they were doing. They thought that the sweatshops and factories they were
creating were going to help the people make money to climb out of poverty. In fact it
Page 59

was cementing them into their current social status and ensuring they would be slaves
their entire lives.

Chapter 23
THE DECEPTIVE RESUME
Location:
Colombia

Character:
Paula,
Perkins
Page 60

Introduction:
This chapter describe how his resume was manipulated and omitted some feature
which show bad impact of read

Summary:
Perkins reproduces on his own awakening to the true nature of his work and how it is
misrepresented on his seeming top notch resume. He explains how MAIN would
update his resume for him with each new project he took on and completed, so when
he did decide to find his resume to take a look at it the material was all new to him.
The resume listed a number of "clients served", the most interesting of which was the
last line that read, "U.S. Treasury Department, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Perkins
notes the strangeness of these two entities being listed on one line, together. He
explains that the wording and placement of those "clients" is actually a tip off to those
in the inner circle of international business that he had been one of the engineers of
the biggest infrastructure deal the world had ever seen. The work he had done to earn
such credentials, his lamentations at the inaccuracy of the document. He knows that,
although the resume portrays him as an intelligent outstanding stone, he had to stoop
to low levels and do a lot of dirty work throughout the years.
Perkins knew the only reason he had met with so much success was because he, time
and again, produced result that the company had hoped for. He found a way to make
the stockholders huge amounts of money. He had never been good at mathematics
and didn't even have a degree in economics, yet he found himself in the position of
Chief Economist at a major international engineering and consulting firm.
What upset John in one article was when he read that his "interest and support he held
for his staff was evident and admirable." The fact was that he was nothing without
them, since he was never that great at math or was even a trained economist. His real
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gift was that he could convince people with his words. He was training more and
more EHM's that were making the world more economically unequal and dangerous.
He thought a lot about the idea of integrity, ethics and about appearances versus
reality. John tried to calm himself, but he knew he was aiding physical destruction
abroad, as well as domestic moral destruction; it needed to stop.
He had made it a practice to hire people more capable than him at doing his job and
put undue pressure on them to produce the results he knew those in higher up
positions wanted. The production of positive forecasts, no matter the method was
what he was good at.

Chapter 24
Page 62

ECUADORS PRESIDENT BATTLES BIG OIL


Location:
Ecuador

Character:
Jaime roldos

Introduction:
In this chapter briefly describe about the bid of oil reserve in Ecuador

Summary:
Ecuador's Jaime Roldos was the ideological match to Panama's Omar Torrijos.
Torrijos wanted canal rights in order to serve the greatest good for his people. He
wanted to restructure wealth and land to the poor people of his country. Roldos ran on
the same majority, nationalist platform completely unaffiliated with superpowers, like
Russia, China, or the U.S. In contrast, Roldos had to fight multi-national oil
corporations in his bid to control Ecuador's vast oil reserves. The country had fallen
victim to the corporatocracy, which exploited oil reserves. Jaime Roldos stood against
the corporatocracy. He believed the poor were entitled to basic human rights and that
leaders should use natural resources responsibly. He fought hard against the oil
companies and its supporters such as the Summer Language Institute, which
manipulated native peoples off their oil-rich lands. Roldos wanted to national oil,
which threatened large oil companies. He was not anti-American, but his policies
threatened American interests. Roldos used oil as a way to bring social reform to the
disenfranchised.
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His biggest competitor was Texaco. It was rumoured that in Ecuador the big oil
companies had colluded with, and bought out, one group of Christian missionaries.
The Summer Institute of Language had a stated goal of teaching English to native
tribes people throughout the Central American region. IN doing so the ministers
would also introduce those they were teaching to Christianity and urge them to set up
and attend church services. The SIL was accused of persuasion native tribes to move
off their native lands to central camps in order to receive free food, health care, and
education. In return the tribes people had to agree to sign their land over to oil
companies for exploration. The ministers were sent to areas that had been speculated
by large oil companies and deemed to have vast subsoil oil reserves.
John admires Roldos and other leaders like him for having the courage to stand up to
powerful organizations for the good of people who could never pay him back. Being
in his position, he now understands the lengths to which greed and power will drive
someone. John is more and more conflicted with his role and his actions over his
career. He is haunted by his past ideals and feels like he has sold out on his own
principles. John notes, Bruno Zambotti, his boos and mentor had been fired by an
aging CEO, Mac Hall, who felt threatened by the shining star in the company.

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Chapter 25
I QUIT
Location:
Virgin Islands

Character:
Zambotti,
Hall,
Paul Priddy

Summary:
The firing of Bruno moved nevertheless the various offices and divisions of MAIN
International. The chairman had fired Bruno because he was vulnerable by his
powerful nature and unbelievable profit earnings the company had produced under
his command. Mac Hall was afraid that the board would deem him incompetent and
give Zambotti his job.
Hall fired Bruno while he still could. To take his place, Hall promoted Paul Priddy,
an economic forecaster that focused on MAIN's domestic projects primarily. John
describes Priddy as a company man that would bend to the wishes of Mac Hall in a
second, no matter what they were. He stood no threat to the chairman, so in Hall's
eyes he was the perfect hire. However, the company suffered as a result of poor
leadership decisions from that point on.
The irresistible majority of MAIN employees believe Hall had lost touch with the
growing trends in economic forecasting and wondered in what direction the company
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would head from there. No one risked challenge the Chairman, in fear of losing their
own job. John goes on a cruising trip to the Virgin Islands with a young woman who
works for him. His own inner battle rages on and has been steadily intensifying.
Despite perfectly pleasant surroundings, John cannot get his mind to rest, so he
decides to take a small row boat and go ashore alone.
He sits atop a wall of an old sugar cane plantation and contemplates the lives and
experiences of the slaves that died building that wall and the men who pulled those
slaves from their homes and families in Africa to come and work them to death in the
Caribbean. He became so angry that he picked up a stick and began beating the wall
over and over until he reached exhaustion. He realized his rage should be directed
inward, for the deeds he had chosen to commit himself. He hated the life he had
created for himself despite all the superficial ornamentation and wealth of it. He could
live with no longer. He quit When John returned to Boston on April 1, 1980.

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Chapter 26
ECUADORS PRESIDENTIAL DEATH
Location:
Ecuador

Character:
John

Introduction:
This chapter define the john quit the job and joining a new job as an expert witness on
legal cases

Summary:
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Claudine had predicted, it was not easy to leave the life and employment of an
Economic Hit Man. John had a new boss, Paul Priddy who believed his resignation to
be an April fools Day joke at first. His colleagues, staff, and friends tried to talk him
out of quitting by listing all the positive attributes of the job and its benefits. Many of
them were distrustful of his motives, thinking he was possibly controlled toward a
career in politics that might expose their crimes and way of life.
He tried to offset such ideas by telling people he wanted to travel and work for
National Geographic. In the end, he was not able to fully extract himself from the
lifestyle or his position. He accepted the job of being an expert witness for public
utility companies seeking building permits from the state for new power plants. Right
about the same time that Perkins chose to quit, Carter lost the presidency to Reagan,
which signified a major shift in foreign policy. Carter has solar panels installed on the
roof of the White House to spark a nationwide discussion regarding dependence on
foreign oil and dependence on oil as our sole energy source. Reagan had the panels
immediately removed upon taking office, as many in his cabinet had made their
fortunes in oil or in the building of its required infrastructure.
Perkins describes the differences between Reagan and Carter, the most striking of
which is how Carter's vision of America was aligned with the Declaration of
Independence and how Reagan's view was "most definitely that of a global empire
builder." Perkins was enamored with men like Torrijos AND Jaime Roldos in
Ecuador. He is obviously saddened when he writes of the sudden death of Roldos in a
plane crash in spring 1981. The world reacted with the outcry of "CIA
Assassination!!", however, the US media barely covered the event at all

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Chapter 27
ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL DEATH
Location:
Panama

Character:
Page 69

Torrijos

Introduction:
This chapter tells about the accident of torrijos which actually was a murder.

Summary:
Perkins was very sad over the death of Roldos but, to him, it was an expected end. He
feared for Torrijos because he refused to turn at all to the desires of the US regarding
the renegotiation of the Canal Treaty. Torrijos stood up to Reagan and rejected the
SIL ministers from Panama. Just a couple months after the strange and curiosity death
of Roldos, Torrijos experienced his own plane crash. Security guards claimed the
plane had a bomb on board and once again the world cried out, CIA
Assassination!!". Graham Greene opened his book, getting to know the General, with
the news and the allegations. Perkins explains the atmosphere in Washington that led
to the murder of Roldos and Torrijos. He makes clear that the primary goal of the new
administration was to expand the global empire and their financial holdings rooted
therein. They would stop at nothing to achieve this goal. Reagan, Bush, Cheney,
Casper Weinberger, George Shultz, and Robert McNamara were named among others
as facilitating a foreign policy that resulted in great reward for themselves and little
other and great misery for the crowds of poor around the world. Perkins explains how
Bechtel Inc. enjoyed a close relationship with those holding high office in the U.S.
Government, which resulted in many new contracts and lots of comfortable perks and
pay checks. Those in power at Bechtel were chief critics of Panama's leaning toward
granting a huge engineering contract for the update of the canal to a Japanese firm.
Bechtel stood to lose out on millions of dollars and the biggest construction contract
in modern times. Headed by George Shultz and Casper Weinberger, Bechtel was a

Page 70

significant factor in policy toward Panama. Torrijos was replaced by Manuel Noriega,
a man who, in Perkins' view, had no chance in standing up Reagan, Bush, and Cheney

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Chapter 28
My Energy Company, Enron, and George W. Bush
Characters:
John Perkins
Location:
Saudi Arabia
Introduction: In this chapter John briefly explained how Enron failed and how
Perkin was became the part of Harken Energy.
Summary:
Winifred took a leave of absence from M A I N, and together sailed boat down the
Atlantic coast toward Florida. We took our time, frequently leaving the boat in
different ports so I could fly off to provide expert witness testimony. Eventually, we
sailed into West Palm Beach, Florida, and rented an apartment. We married, and our
daughter, Jessica, was born on May 17, 1982. I was thirty-six, considerably older than
all the other men who hung out in Lamaze class. Several months after Jessica's birth
in 1982, 1 founded Independent Power Systems (IPS), a company whose mission
included developing environmentally beneficial power plants and establishing models
to inspire others to do likewise. It was a high-risk business, and most of our
competitors eventually failed. However, "coincidences" came to our rescue.

Page 72

In fact, I was certain that many times someone stepped in to help, that I was being
rewarded for my past service and for my commitment to silence. Perkins struggled
with his role as an expert witness because he was testifying under oath that he
believed in the accuracy of his economic predictions although he absolutely knew
them to be wholly false. He stuck with it, however, because it gave him a lot of free
time while still bringing in an admirable salary. Winifred's father happened to have
spent his career working as an executive at Bechtel. Despite the fact that Winifred
was a committed environmentalist, her first job out of college at UC Berkeley was at
Enron. Perkins once again quit his job, but this time he started his own company. He
launched Independent Power Systems, a company "whose mission included
developing environmentally beneficial power plants...".Perkins receiving financial
backing and support from Bruno Zambotti, and a host of major players and
companies, including the U.S. Congress.
IPS along with Bechtel revolutionized the power industry by building coal power
plants that did not cause acid rain to fall in surrounding areas. MAIN completely
folded and went out of business during that time as well. Mac Hall had lost touch
with the direction of the energy market and no one informed him, just as Bruno
predicted. M A I N was one example of a company that did not cope well in the
changing atmosphere of the energy industry. A rising star, Enron, was a little known
company that, virtually out of nowhere, began putting together huge deals. Nobody in
the field could figure out how they could finance such endeavors. Perkins provides a
brief history of the flailing career of George W. Bush, beginning at Arbusto Energy,
which flopped, and became a part of Harken Energy. Bush Jr. remained on the board
and suddenly the fledgling Harken began to land huge contracts, the most
conspicuous of which was the right to drill oil off the coast of Bahrain. Harken beat
out Amoco in that deal. Bush had just been elected president and had arranged the
talks between Bahraini officials and his son's company. I was less surprised than my
Page 73

peers, but I suppose I had a unique perspective. I had worked for the governments of
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran, I was familiar with Middle Eastern politics,
and I knew that Bush, just like the Enron executives, was part of the network I and
my E H M colleagues had created; they were the feudal lords and plantation masters.

Chapter 29
I take a Bribe
Characters:
John Perkins
Location:
Saudi Arabia
Introduction: In this chapter John briefly explained how he became the part of
illegal activities and had he betrayed himself, his family and his country.
Summary:
While McNamara served as secretary of defense and president of the World Bank the
ideas of aggressive leadership and empire furtherance no matter the short term cost
spread like wildfire throughout the whole corporate world. Although alternative
energy sources existed, the fact that almost the entire Bush administration had made
money in oil prevented expansion and distribution of these technologies to the public.
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Instead, more insidious methods of corporate domination and globalization surged


forward. During the 1980s and into the 1990s, the emphasis switched from
entrepreneurship to deregulation. Perkin watched as most of the other small
independents were swallowed up by the large engineering and construction firms, and
by the public utility companies themselves.
The latter found legal loopholes that allowed them to create holding companies,
which could own both the regulated utility companies and the unregulated
independent energy-producing corporations. Many of them launched aggressive
programs to drive the independents into bankruptcy and then purchase them. Others
simply started from scratch and developed their own equivalent of the independents
. As a result, it was easy to expand the E H M concept into the larger community, to
send executives from a broad spectrum of businesses on missions previously reserved
for the few of us recruited into an exclusive club. These executives fanned out across
the planet. They sought the cheapest labor pools, the most accessible resources, and
the largest markets. They were ruthless in their approach. Like the EHMs who had
gone before them like me, in Indonesia, in Panama, and in Colombiathey found
ways to rationalize their misdeeds. And like us, they ensnared communities and
countries. They promised affluence, a way for countries to use the private sector to
dig themselves out of debt. They built schools and highways,donated telephones,
televisions, and medical services.
In the end, however, if they found cheaper workers or more accessible resources
elsewhere, they left. When they abandoned a community whose hopes they had
raised, the consequences were often devastating, but they apparently did this without
a moment's hesitation or a nod to their own consciences. Perkins sold IPS and became
a very well paid adviser on the board of a growing energy company, Stone and
Webster Engineering and Construction. In return he had to agree not to write about
Page 75

the work he did at MAIN or his work with Stone and Webster. The CEO of SWEC
took me out to a private lunch.
We chatted informally for some time, and as we did so I realized that a side of me
was eager to get back into the consulting business, to leave behind the responsibilities
of running a complicated energy company, of being responsible for over a hundred
people when we were constructing a facility, and of dealing with all the liabilities
associated with building and operating power plants. I had already envisioned how I
would spend the substantial retainer I knew he was about to offer me. I had decided to
use it, among other things, to create a nonprofit organization. Perkins was, in fact, in
the process of writing just such a book, but he put his writing on the shelf to earn
more money once again. He explains that he felt like he had once again betrayed
himself, his family, and his country.

Chapter 30
The United States Invades Panama
Characters:

Page 76

John Perkins

Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained how he exposes the US position.


Summary:
This chapter is focused on Manuel Noriega and the U.S. invasion of Panama. Perkins
exposes the US position superficial and dishonest in many ways. He claims the
invasion sprung out of the deep seated fear of George Bush Sr. that the American
people believed him to be a wimp. He wanted to prove his power and strength to
everyone. He ordered an air attack on Panama City that was the largest attack by the
US since World War II. Many civilians died and the administration claimed they were
punished Noriega for his illegal drug running and corrupt activities. Noriega built his
reputation as a colonel heading up the Panamanian Defense Forces' G-2 unit, the
military intelligence command that was the national liaison with the CIA. In this
capacity, he developed a close relationship with CIA Director William J. Casey. The
CIA used this connection to further its agenda throughout the Caribbean and Central
and South America.
For example, when the Reagan administration wanted to give Castro advance warning
of the 1983 to U.S. invasion of Grenada, Casey turned to Noriega, asking him to
serve as messenger. The colonel also helped the CIA infiltrate Colombian and other
drug cartels. The media endeavored to paint Noriega as a dangerous mad man, and an
evil communist sympathizer. Panama posed no threat to US national security and
could not have possibly launched any counter attack back. Perkins was thrown into
depression upon questioning his own role in furthering such injustice throughout the
Page 77

world. He attempts to give a reasonable explanation as to how good people can


participate in such heinous acts that result in mass suffering and death of millions of
desperate people throughout the world. Perkins believes that the invasion of Panama
in 1989 symbolized the whole system of corruption, greed, and global domination.
It showed the lengths that powerful men and women would go to protect and expand
their assets. The destabilization campaign launched by the United States in 1986,
ending with the 1989 Panama invasion, was a result of the U.S. rejection of any
scenario in which future control of the Panama Canal might be in the hands of an
independent, sovereign Panamasupported by Japan... Shultz and Weinberger,
meanwhile, masquerading as officials operating in the public interest and bask in
popular ignorance about the powerful economic interests they represented, were
building a propaganda campaign to shoot me down.
Washington's stated justification for the attack was based on one man. The United
States' sole rationale for sending its young men and women to risk their lives and
consciences killing innocent people, including untold numbers of children, and setting
fire to huge sections of Panama City, was Noriega. He was characterized as evil, as
the enemy of the people, as a drug-trafficking monster, and as such he provided the
administration with an excuse for the massive invasion of a country with two million
inhabitants which coincidentally happened to sit on one of the most valuable
pieces of real estate in the world. I found the invasion disturbing to the point of
driving me into a depression that lasted many days. I knew that Noriega had
bodyguards, yet I could not help believing that the jackals could have taken him out,
as they had Roldos and Torrijos. Most of his bodyguards, I suspected, had been
trained by U.S. military personnel and probably could have been paid either to look
the other way or to carry out an assassination themselves. After the mission, Cheney
publicly claimed 300 to 500 Panamanian civilians died, while independent human
Page 78

rights groups estimated the number of dead between three and five thousand in this
attack.

Chapter 31
An EHM Failure in Iraq
Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained how EHM failure in Iraq.


Summary:
In this chapter, Perkins focuses in the state of Iraq in the late eighties and nineties. He
explains how he was privy to information about the country and its political and
economic state of affairs that few others knew about at all. Companies like Bechtel
and Halliburton were hoping to strike lucrative deals in Iraq with Saddam Hussein.
They had grand visions of Iraq becoming the sister state to Saudi Arabia, however,
due to Iraq's much more bountiful water supply and the fact that it shares borders with
many strategic Middle Eastern nations, Iraq was even more of a gem to economists.
By the late eighties it became apparent that Hussein was not about to buy into what
the engineering firms were proposing. Saddam Hussein undoubtedly was aware that
Page 79

the Saudis also enjoyed special treatment when it came to matters of international
law.
Their good friends in Washington turned a blind eye to many Saudi activities,
including the financing of fanatical groups many of which were considered by most
of the world to be radicals bordering on terrorism and the harboring of international
fugitives. In fact, the United States actively sought and received Saudi Arabian
financial support for Osama bin Laden's Afghan war against the Soviet Union. The
Reagan and Bush administrations not only encouraged the Saudis in this regard, but
also they pressured many other countries to do the same or at least to look the
other way.
The E H M presence in Baghdad was very strong. This shamed the Bush
Administrations and added to the fear that the public saw President Bush as a wimp,
or spineless leader. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Bush Administration had the
opportunity to redeem itself without public protest. The President denounced the
unilateral invasion of a defenseless country as a serious breach of international law
less than a year after the American invasion of Panama. Perkins recalls the excitement
of his colleagues over the invasion because a U.S. victory was sure to bring in huge
profits for their companies and in turn them.
He continues working on his book and began guiding small groups of tourists deep
into the Amazon to spend time and learn from native tribes. Throughout the 1990s, I
became increasingly involved in the nonprofit world, helping to create several
organizations and serving on the board of directors of others. Many of these grew out
of the work of highly dedicated people at Dream Change and involved working with
indigenous people in Latin America the Shuars and Achuars of the Amazon, the
Quechuas of the Andes, the Mayas in Guatemala or teaching people in the United

Page 80

States and Europe about these cultures. SWEC approved of this philanthropic work; it
was consistent with SWEC's own commitment to the United Way.
I also wrote more books, always careful to focus on indigenous teachings and to
avoid references to my E H M activities. Besides alleviating my boredom, these
measures helped me keep in touch with Latin America and the political issues that
were dear to me. But try as I might to convince myself that my nonprofit and writing
activities provided a balance, that I was making amends for my past activities, I found
this increasingly difficult. In my heart, I knew I was shirking my responsibilities to
my daughter. Jessica was inheriting a world where millions of children are born
saddled with debts they will never be able to repay. And I had to accept responsibility
for it. As Perkins became more and more involved in the non-profit world, he was
eventually able to quit his consulting job completely.

Chapter 32
September 11th and its Aftermath For Me, Personally
Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained how he takes the step for revolution?.
Page 81

Summary:
World Trade Center was a project started by David Rockefeller in I960, and that in
recent years the complex had been considered an albatross. It had the reputation of
being a financial misfit, unsuited to modern fiber-optic and Internet technologies, and
burdened with an inefficient and costly elevator system. Those two owners once had
been nicknamed David and Nelson. Now the albatross was gone. Perkin kept
walking, slowly, almost reluctantly. Despite the warmth of the afternoon, I felt a chill,
and I realized that a strange anxiousness, a foreboding, had taken hold of me. I could
not identify its source and I tried to brush it off, picking up my pace.
I eventually found myself once again looking at that smoldering hole, the twisted
metal, that great scar in the earth. I leaned against a building that had escaped the
destruction and stared into the pit. I tried to imagine the people rushing out of the
collapsing tower and the firefighters dashing in to help them. I tried to think about the
people who had jumped, the desperation they felt. But none of these things came to
me. Instead, I saw Osama bin Laden accepting money, and weapons worth millions of
dollars, from a man employed by a consulting company under contract to the United
States government. Then I saw myself sitting at a computer with a blank screen. I
looked around, away from Ground Zero, at the New York streets that had avoided the
tire and now were returning to normal.
I wondered what the people who walked those streets today thought about all this
not simply about the destruction of the towers, but also about the ruined pomegranate
farms and the twenty-four thousand who starve every single day. I wondered if they
thought about such things at all, if they could tear themselves away from their jobs
and gas-guzzling cars and their interest payments long enough to consider their own
contribution to the world they were passing on to their children. I wondered what they
knew about Afghanistan not the Afghanistan on television, the one littered with U.S.
Page 82

military tents and tanks, but the old man's Afghanistan. I wondered what those
twenty-four thousand who die every7 day think. And then I saw myself again, sitting
before a blank computer screen.
I forced my attention back to Ground Zero. At the moment, one thing was certain:
my country was thinking about revenge, and it was focusing on countries like
Afghanistan. But I was thinking about all the other places in the world where people
hate our companies, our military, our policies, and our march toward global empire.
Perkin explains what it was like for him the moment the two owners came down. He
was in the Amazon at a radio relay hut listening over the hand held radio to radio
broadcasts with minute by minute accounts of the scene in lower Manhattan. He made
the decision that upon returning to the U.S. that he must visit ground zero and see the
devastation himself, with his own eyes.
In November of 2001 he got there. As he walked around the massive hole in the
ground, with smoke still billowing out, he tried to take in the enormity of the scene.
The sights and sounds and his own thoughts as to what caused this horrific event
stained his memory. He explains a few strange coincidences that occurred to him
throughout that day while strolling around the area. It seems every place Perkins
chooses to sit and rest a moment conjures up a memory or image of classic American
ideals or notes a proud American foundation. He speaks with an Afghan immigrant.
He turns the events of September 11th, his career, his family, and his personal truth
over and over in his mind as he walks around. He sees a newspaper stand with a man
shouting the headline; "Venezuela on the brink of Revolution".

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Chapter 33
Venezuela Saved By Saddam
Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained how he takes the step for revolution?
Summary:
Venezuela is a country as rich with oil as it is with culture and history. Perkins
provides a brief summary of the recent political history of Venezuela and the actions
of its present leader, Hugo Chavez. Throughout the twentieth century Venezuela has
been a prized nation by economists and engineers, which has made it a target for
EHM's and the corporatocracy. Until Chavez was elected in the late nineties the
country lacked a leader with enough strength and charisma to stand up to the
corporate behemoth. He immediately instituted drastic measures, taking control of the
courts and other institutions and dissolving the Venezuelan Congress. He denounced
the United States for its "shameless imperialism," spoke out forcefully against
globalization, and introduced a hydrocarbons law that was reminiscent, even in name,
to the one Jaime Roldos had brought to Ecuador shortly before his airplane went
down. The law doubled the royalties charged to foreign oil companies. Then Chavez
defied the traditional independence of the state-owned oil company, Petrleos de
Page 84

Venezuela, by replacing its top executives with people loyal to him. Venezuelan oil is
crucial to economies around the world.
In 2002, the nation was the world's fourth-largest oil exporter and the number three
supplier to the United States. Petrleos de Venezuela, with forty thousand employees
and $50 billion a year in sales, provides 80 percent of the country's export revenue. It
is by far the most important factor in Venezuela's economy. By taking over the
industry, Chavez had thrust himself onto the world stage as a major player.
Venezuelan oil was being pumped out of the ground for the profit of foreign
companies and the country was saddled with immense debts at the time Chavez was
elected. Upon taking power Chavez enacted bold and sweeping new laws which
strengthened his control over government and its functions and he assumed total
control over the state run oil company, Petroleos De Venezuela. Perkins explains how
the U.S. Administration and the CIA took the same course of action in Venezuela to
discredit the countries democratically elected leader as they did in Iran, with
Mossadegh in the 1950's.
Agents of the US government infiltrated Venezuela and worked to foment a strike of
oil workers in order to destabilize the government and force people to doubt the
intentions of their populist leader. The strike occurred and a coup was attempted. In
fact, there were reports that Chavez had been oust form office, but surprisingly
Chavez was able to hold onto the reins of government and quell the fears of the
nation. The CIA has failed. He regained control and fired any government official that
he suspected of colluding with US agents. Perkins suspicions were confirmed when,
quite coincidently, a colleague confided that the strikes and coup were completely
orchestrated by people working for the US government. At least for the time being, I
believe a serious crisis was averted in Venezuela and Chavez was saved by Saddam
Hussein. The Bush administration could not take on Afghanistan, Iraq, and Venezuela
all at once. At the moment, it had neither the military muscle nor the political support
Page 85

to do so. I knew, however, that such circumstances could change quickly, and that
President Chavez was likely to face fierce opposition in the near future. Nonetheless,
Venezuela was a reminder that not much had changed in fifty years except the
outcome.

Chapter 34
Ecuador Revisited
Characters:
John Perkins

Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained how he reflect the idea in regards to
choosing the focus attention on what truly matters in the world rather than endlessly
trying to attain superficial and short term entertainment.

Summary:
Once again, Perkins visits Ecuador, thirty five years after he served in the Peace
Corps as a young man, just out of college. He drove the winding Andean roads and
took mental note of the areas that had been vast stretches of Amazonian rain forest
Page 86

and were now desolate fields overgrown with weeds. The tiny oil rich country and its
inhabitants were saddled with massive debt to international monetary firms that were
putting more and more pressure on the government to pay up by conceding drilling
rights throughout the country to massive international oil companies.
Native tribal leaders held a meeting to discuss the current state of affairs and present a
unified course of action to the public in order to counteract the oil conglomerates.
Elders shared stories of people from within their own communities that had sold out
for big money and big dreams to oil executives. Many people asked Perkins about the
impending US invasion in Iraq. They wanted to know what the standpoint of the
country was; what the purpose of going to war was. He was struck by the irony that
although the average US citizen thought the native people of the Amazon region to be
uneducated and brutish they were actually much more aware of the state of
international affairs and asked much more poignant questions with regards to US
actions.
In fact, Perkins asserts that the average US citizen knew less and asked fewer
questions of relevance to their leaders than these people who lived deep in the jungles
of South America. The native peoples seemed to know more about current events as
well as position held in the past by many prominent American statesmen. Many
ancient cultures around the globe prophesied that the period of years from the late
nineties and into the first couple decades after the year two thousand would mark a
great shift in human history.
An age of remarkable change in our collective perceptions of the world around us and
our direction therein was imminent. Perkins reflects on this idea in regards to
choosing to focus attention on what truly matters in the world rather than endlessly
trying to attain superficial and short term entertainment. He writes of his hope that
those in power will awaken to a deeper purpose and a more profound sense of self
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and role, which will motivate them to use their position and their power to alleviate,
undo suffering and strife around the globe.

Chapter 35
Piercing the Veneer
Characters:
John Perkins

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Location:
United States

Introduction: In this chapter John explained the reasons which describe in


previous chapters and give possible implications of all the reasons.

Summary:
This final chapter focuses on the reasons behind, and the possible implication of the
2003 invasion into Iraq. Perkins knows that had Saddam have been able to be bought
out by the corporatocracy, and accepted their terms; he would still be in power today.
He goes on to say that indeed US firms would be building and maintaining his
chemical weapons plants, selling him arms, and turning a blind eye to his human
rights violations. From his perspective, as a former EHM, Perkins offers several
views of the invasion and it s outcome that may surprise the reader. One of which is
the idea that the dollar stands on very shaky ground as the standard global currency.
He writes that if that right were to be taken away from the US the foundations of the
entire empire would rumble and quake. If the standard currency were to change the
US would find itself in insurmountable debt extremely quickly. Perkins then proposes
that any major international group, like OPEC, could simply decide to do their
banking in another currency. However, Perkins also explains that one possible reason
for the invasion in Iraq is that if the US controlled Iraq and its vast oil fields then the
US could render OPEC obsolete. OPEC could change its supply or production but it
would fail to produce any political pressure because the biggest oil consumer, the US,
could simply pump its oil free of charge in Iraq.
This type of scenario would also undermine any agreements made strictly with Saudi
Arabia. Because the US is no longer dependent on the country's oil, we, as a nation,
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would probably not honor our end of the bargain at all. To close the book, and end the
journey, Perkins returns to the theme of his own inspiration from the principles of the
founding fathers and what drove them to take bold stands and risk their own safety
for the idea of a free republic. The conclusion he reaches is that those men, as well as
men and women around the world today, have and are inspired by the written word.
Words propelled by a passionate desire to be free and to shake off the chains of
repression and submission are the single most powerful catalyst to revolution. The
words of the past served to inspire, inform, awaken, and spark the population and
Perkins hopes his words have served the same purpose in the mind and heart of the
reader.

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The End Note


The confessions of an economic hit man, is the story of imperialism and capitalism in the
world, in the eyes of John Perkins. After reading this autobiography, the reader came to know
that how America established the Master-slave system in the world. And the master of all is
America. It seems the corporate of America dont want to flourish any economy. But every
nation must be dependent to the American Capitalist. To save the power of America, the
capitalist uses all of their resources, like American political structure, American army,
American genius minds and American donations as well. It is told that in the name of
USAID, only developing countries are exploited. In the developing countries, the capitalist
pyramid is supported and established by America. In the developing countries, except a few
powerful and wealthy, all acted as slaves to American corporatocracy.
John Perkins tells, in his entire career at Main, he did whatever Main official wanted. But he
was consciously not satisfied. He was just a small part of whole system. If he went out of the
system, someone else will replace him.
This book is really an eye opener. It tells, how did actually, the economic flow in the world
has taken place. The story written seems to be quiet real. Being the citizen of Pakistan, the
book is very apprehensive.
The scenario of Pakistan
Pakistan is a developing country. Every year, every Pakistani is burdened with the bigger
national debt. USAID,and indulgence of world bank is also advent here.

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Inspite of all the aids and mega construction projects, the living standard of any person from
lower and middle class is deteriorating. A common person is striving for the basic needs of
life, food, shelter (home), health and education. An unseen force is supporting corrupt
politicians. Americans have their army bases, are free to do any army operation in our
country, either in the form of drones or missing people.
Constructively,
what a single person can do in this regard?
After discussion with our study group we have a few points, which are described below:

First of all, awareness and education. Normally the social media is meant for creating

social awareness. But in Pakistan, the majority of our media outlets newspapers, magazines,
publishing houses, television stations, radio stations, etc. are owned by powerful
international and wealthy national corporations and these corporations aren't afraid to
manipulate the news they deliver. We should seek the truth and encourage others to do the
same.

We, as nation, need to unite and exercise honesty on individual level.

We should open our eyes, regarding politicians. The corrupt politician should be

criticized socially and collectively. We should raise our voice, to get the information of all the
debt. That, where and how the funds are being spent. The debts which were actually meant
for progress and prosperity of the nation, not for slavery.

We can use social, print and electronic media to raise awareness regarding better

productive consumption of petroleum products which involve huge foreign exchange.

We should support our domestic companies for day to day fast moving consumable

goods.

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We should develop and support the communities and groups, who help the deprived

and poor people around us. Together we can get rid of clutches of imperialism, but on the
individual level we need self accountability.

Finally, we would also like to quote the important questions stated by the web site,

www.capitalreader.com.
These are the essential questions of our time.
Ask yourself the following questions:
1.

Why have I allowed myself to be sucked into a system that I know is unbalanced?

2.

What will I do to help our children, and all children everywhere, to fulfill the dream

of our Founding Fathers, the dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
3.

What course will I take to end starvation, and make sure there is never again a day

like September 11th?


4.

How can I help our children understand that people who live gluttonous, unbalanced

lives should be pitied but never, ever emulated, even if those people present themselves,
through the media they control, as cultural icons and try to convince us that penthouses and
yachts bring happiness?
5.

What changes will I commit to making in my attitudes and perceptions?

6.

What forums will I use to teach others and to learn more on my own?

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