Summary

John Perkins, a self-proclaimed "economic hit man" (EHM), unveils the hidden machinery of global empire building. He describes how EHMs, highly paid professionals like himself, are employed by corporations and financial institutions to manipulate developing countries into accepting massive, unnecessary loans. These loans, while enriching U.S. corporations and select individuals within the recipient countries, ultimately cripple the debtor nations, forcing them into economic and political subservience to the United States and multinational organizations. Through inflated economic forecasts and rigged development plans, EHMs pave the way for the corporatocracy to exploit a nation's natural resources and control its policies, effectively adding it to a vast, debt-based global empire. Perkins's own journey began with his recruitment by the NSA and training under a mysterious woman named Claudine, who initiated him into the deceptive world of EHMs. His first assignment in Indonesia exposed him to the harsh realities of poverty and exploitation, juxtaposed with the opulent lifestyles of American executives and their families. The experience left Perkins questioning his role in the system, as he witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of his manipulated forecasts.

His subsequent missions to Panama, Iran, and Saudi Arabia further revealed the insidious nature of EHM work. In Panama, he befriended Omar Torrijos, a charismatic leader determined to reclaim the Panama Canal, whose defiance of the corporatocracy ultimately led to his assassination. In Iran, Perkins witnessed the growing discontent among the population, which would eventually culminate in the fall of the Shah. His involvement in the Saudi Arabian Money-laundering Affair showcased the immense power and corruption at the heart of the global empire, highlighting the complicity of U.S. corporations, international banks, and government officials in funneling petrodollars back to the United States and creating lasting dependencies. Through these experiences, Perkins grappled with his conscience, torn between the allure of wealth and power and the moral implications of his actions. He eventually resigned from MAIN, his consulting firm, but continued to be entangled in the system through lucrative consulting contracts. He details this moral struggle and the factors that eventually led to his decision to expose the truth behind EHMs.

He discusses the profound impact of the oil crisis and the rise of corporatocracy, illustrating how the focus shifted from genuine aid to exploiting natural resources and controlling global economies. He also reflects on the destabilizing effects of privatization and deregulation, fueled by the greed of corporations seeking to maximize profits at the expense of developing nations. Perkins's journey also intertwines with historical events, such as the fall of the Shah of Iran, the U.S. invasion of Panama, and the growing threat of terrorism, revealing the interconnectedness of these events with the machinations of EHMs. His visit to Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks served as a catalyst for his decision to finally break his silence, recognizing the urgent need to expose the truth about the global empire and the forces driving its expansion. In Ecuador, he witnessed the devastating consequences of oil exploitation and the desperate resistance of indigenous tribes fighting to protect their land and their way of life. This served as a powerful reminder of the human cost of global empire and reinforced his commitment to sharing his story.

Perkins concludes with a call to action, urging readers to become aware of the manipulative tactics of the corporatocracy and to take responsibility for their own roles in the system. He emphasizes the power of individual choices and the potential for positive change through conscious consumerism, activism, and a commitment to creating a more just and sustainable world. He encourages readers to question the mainstream narrative presented by corporate-controlled media and to seek out alternative sources of information. By exposing the inner workings of the global empire, Perkins empowers individuals to challenge the status quo and to work towards a future where economic growth benefits all of humankind, not just a select few. He reminds us that the world is as we dream it, and that we have the power to change our dreams, and thereby change the world.