Jon Perkins on The American Empire

[edgray]

Here's a really interesting speech from former economic hitman Jon Perkins. In it he details the mechanisms of the global corporatocracy and his contributions to it. I believe this talk was recorded after he published his book, The Secret History of the American Empire.

http://fora.tv/2007/06/21/Secret_History_of_the_American_Empire

What's most interesting about Mr Perkins is his idea about how to change and improve things. He suggests that laws should be made to govern corporations.

Corporations, he suggests, are the most important communities in society. They have masses of power, and can be the only places many of us would ever cross paths. Rather than removing them, or changing the system, Perkins suggests that corporations could be governed with laws that have societies best interests at heart. This could stop environmental destruction, the destruction of local communities, stop the plundering of poorer nations etc.

Quite interesting stuff.

 

[Minor Axis]

Science fiction book have been written about countries disappearing whose function is to be replaced by large powerful corporations.

 

[edgray]

Science fiction book have been written about countries disappearing whose function is to be replaced by large powerful corporations.

sounds interesting. What was the book?

 

[dkwrtw]

It does sound interesting but I'm not going to watch all that right now, I bookmarked the page maybe one of these days when I'm especially bored I'll sit down and watch it.

 

[edgray]

It does sound interesting but I'm not going to watch all that right now, I bookmarked the page maybe one of these days when I'm especially bored I'll sit down and watch it.

yeah it's quite long, 1hr 22 or thereabouts. But totally worth it

 

[dkwrtw]

I'll watch it eventually, sounds like I may agree with some of the things Mr. Perkins has to say.

 

[Accountable]

Here's a really interesting speech from former economic hitman Jon Perkins. In it he details the mechanisms of the global corporatocracy and his contributions to it. I believe this talk was recorded after he published his book, The Secret History of the American Empire.

http://fora.tv/2007/06/21/Secret_History_of_the_American_Empire

What's most interesting about Mr Perkins is his idea about how to change and improve things. He suggests that laws should be made to govern corporations.

Corporations, he suggests, are the most important communities in society. They have masses of power, and can be the only places many of us would ever cross paths. Rather than removing them, or changing the system, Perkins suggests that corporations could be governed with laws that have societies best interests at heart. This could stop environmental destruction, the destruction of local communities, stop the plundering of poorer nations etc.

Quite interesting stuff.

Maybe we should treat international corporations as separate nations, stripping them of rights of citizenship and dealing with them through diplomatic channels.

This is neither really serious nor really sarcastic. Just an idea. Whatcha think?

 

[edgray]

Maybe we should treat international corporations as separate nations, stripping them of rights of citizenship and dealing with them through diplomatic channels.

This is neither really serious nor really sarcastic. Just an idea. Whatcha think?

Stripping them of citizens rights is a definite.

Diplomatic channels though are half the problem. The economic hitmen work in conjunction with govt agencies and I'm sure make use of diplomatic channels to wreak havoc on smaller economies around the world.

 

[Minor Axis]

sounds interesting. What was the book?

I don't really have a name for one specific book. What I am referring to is a theme in futuristic fiction.

 

[edgray]

I don't really have a name for one specific book. What I am referring to is a theme in futuristic fiction.

I love how many of the sci-fi novelists portray future civilisation. I've been thinking a lot lately about the Star Trek future, and how they organise themselves in a military fashion.

I wonder if this could be applied to society?

Like the military, it would function as some kind of meritocracy. You could have a tiered society based on your skill and your value to society. Maybe this needs another thread...