#252 - The Shadow Government, World Bank & CIA-Backed Coup's | John Perkins
Jul 29, 2024
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Join John Perkins, a former advisor to the World Bank and expert on international finance, as he unveils the dark side of economic manipulation. He discusses his role as an 'economic hitman,' using debt to coerce countries into serving U.S. interests. The conversation dives into China's growing influence in Ecuador and the geopolitical implications. Perkins also reflects on pivotal moments from his career, including encounters with shady political figures and the moral dilemmas faced in the quest for power. Prepare for a gripping look at global politics!
John Perkins discusses his recruitment into intelligence, highlighting the unpredictable nature of career paths influenced by personal motivations and historical contexts.
The podcast explores the speaker's deep connection with indigenous cultures during Peace Corps service, emphasizing the importance of cultural appreciation over bureaucratic frameworks.
Perkins reveals the moral conflicts faced when transitioning to an economic hitman, grappling with the exploitation inherent in developmental loan practices.
A critique of corporate greed emerges, advocating for a shift towards a life economy that prioritizes community welfare and sustainable practices over short-term profits.
Reflections on past civilizations' downfalls serve as a warning against hubris and shortsightedness, urging a learned approach to preserving human progress in the current socio-economic landscape.
Deep dives
Desires of Power
The speaker shares a deep-seated ambition rooted in desires for power, money, and sex, highlighting their alignment with roles in intelligence, particularly within the CIA. These motivations became instrumental in their recruitment process, wherein they were promised opportunities to fulfill these desires. This passion for gaining power and influence directly influenced their willingness to engage in potentially unethical practices. The narrative emphasizes the psychological allure often associated with such roles, drawing listeners into the intrigue and moral ambiguity of the intelligence world.
Peace Corps and Intelligence Recruitment
While serving in the Peace Corps, the speaker recalls an unexpected recruitment into intelligence, emphasizing the unpredictable pathways of career choices. Originally seeking to avoid the Vietnam draft, the individual found themselves in an environment that facilitated their entry into a life of espionage. Their background, especially experiences with indigenous cultures, was leveraged to craft an appealing narrative for potential employers in intelligence. This experience underscores the often convoluted and opportunistic nature of career trajectories within governmental agencies.
The Vietnam Conflict and Personal Beliefs
The speaker discusses their strong opposition to the Vietnam War, drawing parallels with personal philosophies shared by figures like Muhammad Ali, reflecting on deeply held moral beliefs against participating in foreign conflicts. They recount previous encounters with law enforcement that shaped their understanding of authority and rebellion, detailing how these experiences contributed to their reluctance to conform to government pressures. This conviction propelled them into decisions that ultimately led to their recruitment within government intelligence. Their story illustrates a clash between individual beliefs and systemic expectations during a tumultuous historical period.
Cultural Connections in the Amazon
Throughout their Peace Corps service in Ecuador, the speaker experienced a profound connection with indigenous people, revealing personal motivations to immerse themselves in cultures different from their own. This desire stemmed from a familial history linked to indigenous peoples, showcasing a deep-rooted fascination that guided their life choices. However, they faced language barriers and cultural misunderstandings that initially made integration difficult within those communities. Despite these challenges, their commitment to forming connections with the local culture demonstrates the importance of cultural appreciation over bureaucratic structures.
Working with Indigenous Communities
The speaker encountered significant challenges when attempting to implement established Western financial concepts like credit and savings within indigenous cultures that utilized barter systems. Their efforts to encourage the formation of rural co-ops were met with skepticism, as community members expressed disbelief in their need for such systems. Overcoming initial distrust became a central theme in their quest, highlighting both the limitations of Western economic models in non-Western societies and the importance of cultural sensitivity. This experience revealed the inadequacies of trying to apply one-size-fits-all solutions to diverse communities.
Health Crises and Spiritual Awakening
The speaker describes a near-death experience due to a severe illness while in the Amazon, which led them to seek healing from a local shaman. This transformative encounter introduced them to ayahuasca, a traditional spiritual medicine, which triggered profound insights about their lifestyle and health. The shaman's teachings went beyond physical healing, urging the speaker to confront personal perceptions that hindered their well-being. This moment sparked a reevaluation of their beliefs surrounding health and the role of natural remedies compared to Western medicine.
The Evolution of Economic Hitman
Transitioning from a life of service in the Peace Corps to becoming an economic hitman, the speaker provides insight into their motivations and moral conflicts during this career shift. Initially believing in the positive impact of their actions, they prepared reports promising growth for nations that accepted loans for development projects. However, they began to recognize the manipulation embedded within this system. The conflicting emotions of being part of a structure designed to exploit developing countries became a significant theme in their story.
Shifting Perspectives on Success
The speaker advocates for a redefined perspective on success, critiquing the corporate obsession with short-term financial maximization at the expense of societal well-being. They argue for prioritizing sustainable practices that contribute positively to communities and environments. Their experiences serving indigenous peoples guide this philosophy, emphasizing community welfare over individual greed. In an era focused on material wealth, promoting a life economy rooted in mutual support becomes a central goal.
Warnings from the Past
Reflections on historical empires and the downfall of earlier civilizations provide context for the current global socio-economic landscape. The speaker observes that expressions of hubris and shortsightedness have historically led nations to destruction, drawing parallels between past and present. They highlight the importance of learning from history to prevent repeating the mistakes made by civilizations that prioritized conquest and materialism over sustainability. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the fragility of human progress.
Emergence of Life Economy
Advocating for the establishment of a life economy, the speaker envisions a system that prioritizes ecological health and community prosperity over mere profit accumulation. They emphasize the need for a paradigm shift driven by collective actions aimed at regenerating ecosystems and reducing environmental damage. By drawing on indigenous wisdom and practices, they propose that a return to more holistic values could realign modern economies with the health of the planet. The emergence of this life economy represents a hopeful vision for achieving balance in a rapidly changing world.
John Perkins was advisor to the World Bank, UN, IMF, Fortune 500 corporations, governments of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States. John used development loans to saddle countries with huge debts and force them to serve US interests.
