A book everyone should read

"The Secret History of the American Empire" by John Perkins documents what many of us have long known: corporate greed runs much of our world, and is behind the greatest challenges we face. Perkins was part of the system that created the mess. And he is a clear voice for the changes we need to make to take back power. This book is well-written, often shocking, ultimately hopeful and helpful. Please read it and pass it on. www.johnperkins.org/paperback.htm

posted by nankatg20 on 7/16/2007 11:00 am | COMMENTS (3)
Comments (3)

hey Nanka I love a good plug and you put that book right on my must read list. Just wondering if you can imagine corporations becoming leaders in the social justice agenda? It's really in the interest of big business to help build a sustainable society. I see a lot more than just green washing going on these days.

posted by Barry Jacobs on 7/18/2007 5:04 pm

Barry, you are right about the interest of big business, but who knows how many directors and executives will wake up, all the way, in time? I think some corporations (you meant “big business” here, too?) will become leaders, but no one should wait for them to inspire enough close followers. Start working locally and regionally to develop abilities and capacities to shift to a new give and take that respects each being and satisfies the basic needs of everyone.

I'd be interested to know the meaning of your final sentence!

posted by David Eggleton on 7/ 1/2008 4:22 pm

A corporation cannot be Greedy. Greed (a rapacious desire for wealth) is an emotion requiring a living organism for its containment. A corporation does not meet that definition. It is a legal entity with many rights of a living person, but it is not alive. It's a body without a soul.

It can, though, express the character of its management which, in turn, expresses the desires of its stockholders. a group that makes up a goodly portion of the population of western societies. I don't think large portion of humanity share avarice as their dominate motivation. However, it is true that most all humans, including the (Greedy?) author of this book being promoted here, presumably for profit, share a common need for survival which manifests itself as a struggle for self-aggrandizement in some form. Bureaucrats seek advanced grade levels, Academicians Grant themselves tenure with someone else's money. This is the way the world works. If you feel the need to vilify one aspect or another for some reason, it would wise to take a moment and ask yourself: Why am I really doing this?

posted by geraldmattox on 7/ 3/2008 9:34 pm

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