What Does an Economic Hitman Do? John Perkins on PBD Podcast EP 125

TL;DR

John Perkins describes an economic hitman as someone who uses loans and economic pressure to benefit corporations and banks while creating leverage over developing countries. The author of “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” also explains how avoiding the Vietnam War led to his National Security Agency interview and eventual career path. Read on for his account of economic colonization, fear, debt, and changing views about his work.

Transcript

all right folks episode number 125 with the one and only john perkins economic hitman uh john when was the last time we interviewed was a year ago year and a half ago when we sat down i think it was before you had us another baby it was before i had another baby yes before brooke before brooklyn and i think i think it was it seems to me it might ha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Economic hitmen utilize economic manipulation rather than military intervention to achieve geopolitical objectives, leveraging debt to control nations.
• 🎮 Modern political dynamics are influenced by a system of crony capitalism, where wealthy interests have significant control over lawmakers.
• 🔉 Public sentiment reflects skepticism towards mainstream media narratives, particularly regarding political investigations and accountability.
• 🤕 The effectiveness of character assassination has intensified in the age of social media, impacting public figures and political discourse.
• 😀 Perkins emphasizes the global shift towards alternative economic systems, noting that the US faces stiff competition from China's growing influence.
• 👶 The historical context of economic hitman strategies remains relevant today, as new forms of control emerge in international relations.
• ♻️ Transparency and accountability are vital to rebuilding trust in governmental institutions, a challenge increasingly difficult in today’s polarized environment.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does an economic hitman do?

John Perkins describes economic hitmen as using economic manipulation instead of direct military intervention. They encourage developing countries to accept loans that benefit corporations and banks while creating debt that can be used to control those countries.

Q: Who is John Perkins?

John Perkins is an American author best known for “Confessions of an Economic Hitman.” He says he participated in a process of economic colonization involving corporations, banks, and the United States.

Q: How did John Perkins become an economic hitman?

Perkins says the path began as he was graduating from business school and looking for a way to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. His father-in-law and a family connection at the National Security Agency arranged an interview for him.

Q: Why did John Perkins want to avoid the Vietnam War?

Perkins says he did not want to kill Vietnamese people or be killed by them. That motivation led him to seek a draft-deferable opportunity connected to the National Security Agency.

Q: What happened during John Perkins’s National Security Agency interview?

Perkins says the interview included a lie-detector examination lasting a couple of days. He expected trouble because he disclosed that he had previously lied to police and said he did not intend to go to Vietnam.

Q: Why did John Perkins initially believe his work was beneficial?

Perkins initially accepted the claim that his work promoted economic growth in developing countries. His view changed as he concluded that the gains favored wealthy elites while ordinary people were left worse off.

Q: What role do loans play in economic colonization?

According to Perkins, loans can finance projects that benefit corporations while burdening the borrowing country with debt. That debt then gives outside interests leverage over the country’s decisions.

Q: Why does John Perkins not recommend becoming an economic hitman?

When asked how someone becomes an economic hitman, Perkins first questions why anyone would want to do it and says he does not recommend it. His broader account portrays the work as supporting manipulation, debt-based control, and economic colonization.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Perkins, author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," shares insights about his controversial role, where he worked to manipulate countries into taking loans that benefitted US corporations, ultimately leading to economic colonization.

• Perkins draws parallels between his past experiences and current geopolitical tensions, such as the situation with Russia and Ukraine, noting the ongoing use of economic strategies to control nations rather than military action.

• He emphasizes the importance of truth, accountability, and the consequences of lobbyist influence in American politics, expressing concerns about the implications for democracy and public trust.