A Game As Old As Empire

I read this companion book to John Perkin's Confessions of a Economic Hitmen, A Game As Old as Empire in just two days. Again, it has given me an good insight on the world of shadowy economic activities that mainstream publications do not frequently publish.

The edition comprised of several authors writing of their experiences with the global corporatacy that launders dirty money, pays low wages to third world workers whilst asking them to work in appalling conditions. Worse still, the chapter on the Congo, which has the 80% of Coltan, an important mineral resource for electronic components in computer notebooks and mobile phones really shocked me.

Congo has seen two civil wars, primarily instigated by foreign armies from Uganda and Rwanda, and also blatantly invaded by them. Resources like Coltan are being looted from Congo's warehouses, illegally mined and then exported by these two countries to Western corporations. The cost of this: 4 million lives as documented in the book with numerous footnotes to other sources.

I guess while the workers of the Third World suffer, highly paid financiers in tax-free zones like Jersey launders money in dubious transactions for the dictators and corrupt officials of the same countries. One chapter on Nigeria, also talked about Shell's involvement with government forces in counter-insurgency operations against groups that are opposed to western oil companies drilling for oil in that country.

The multinational corporations therefore has now become the new Empire of the 20th and 21st Century. It works seamlessly through all countries, with total disregard for human suffering and only interested in promoting their own profits and gains; accordingly to this book.

What we as individual citizens do to stop this? The book suggests in its last chapter the following:

1. Know Thyself - Get to know yourself and the role you play in society. Maybe, as a consumer, you can refuse to buy products that harm the environment.
2. Be informed and Challenge Your Preconceptions
3. Be inspired and Trust the Movement
4. Believe in Activism: A Little Does go a long Way
5. Push your Comfort Zone and Expand Your Skills
6. Provide a Service to Those in Long-Term Struggle
7. Look Forward with Hope

I have always wondered why there is always anti-globalisation protesters that seem to be conducting demonstrations in IMF, WTO, World Bank and other big organization meetings. In the news reports, people seem so passionate and determined in their cause. I did not know that the purpose was actually to show their commitment of solidarity with the people that had been exploited by the very effects of globalisation; but who knows what are their motivations are anyway. This is after all a shadowy world of men who would do anything within their power to ensure their continued existence in this profitable scheme.

Interesting read, but would only recommend it if you are into the talk of economic hitmen, the name for the people that John Perkins had termed.