Dr. Jackson
Political Science 2
MW, 11:00
Book Analysis America: A country that prides itself on being the “Arsenal of Democracy” and the “Policeman of the World.” While this title is duly bred in the hearts and mind of our citizenry, there are some who believe that this title doesn’t accurately describe the underlying notions of our nation’s second agenda. John Perkins, a consultant and self-described “Economic Hit Man,” has had firsthand experience with the uglier side of American international business and international cooperation. In his book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Perkins describes the exact method in which American business, hand in hand with International Banks and the US Government itself, has impacted and even devastated local economies worldwide. Through his career travels throughout countries such as Indonesia, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, among others, Perkins gives us a vivid description of how the American “Corporatocracy” has directly impacted developing nations’ local economies, namely by dictating unfair economic rules, leading unsuspecting governments to take out expensive loans on essential infrastructure and natural resource projects, and forcing military and political cooperation, among other things. This outright trickery and deception, on the side of America, has left a sour taste for our nation in many of the developing parts of the world, nations where future alliances are critical, and where our future wellbeing resides. Therefore it is essential to curb any ethnocentric tendencies we may have in order to help us along to get recognized. In this paper, I will go over the exact details that Perkins has discussed in his book, providing my own opinion, as well as what I have learned in class and from my readings. In order for us a nation to be well received around the world, we must monitor ourselves from a non-ethnocentric standpoint, and look at the actions and impact which we have had around the world, and how