How big corporations took over Western governments

How did Western governments get to the point where major decisions are made by and for large corporate monopolies? Ben Norton is joined by political economist Radhika Desai to discuss neoliberalism and the myth of the free market.

|| Geopolitical Economy Report ||

[harryholiday]

I was telling my friends this during the 1990's decade. They all said I was crazy, and it just couldn't happen in America. Now, they are eating their words and experiencing KARMA. We are now in a very feudalist fascist system for several generations.

[typeviic]

And voting for Dems and Repubs will change nothing.

[M.M.Alam.Liberty]

Brave and Brilliant economist Dr Radhika Desai. 👏 thank you

[haxx]

Great presentation by the professor, Neo-Liberalism has completely disenfranchised the West.

[andrewnovak]

Grace Blakeley has recently written a great book about this topic called "Vulture Capitalism" and I highly recommend it. The term "regulatory capture" is wholly inadequate in describing what has actually taken place.
The laws of incorporation that were passed in 1863 put the US government squarely in the pocket of bankers and robber barrons. Even FDR, the "savior" didn't take the power to print free money from bankers. Printing unlimited money allows you to purchase unlimited power and influence. We all live in the results of that.

[sciologist]

These CEO;s and Board of Directors gives themselves 10s of millions of dollars in raises and bonuses then blame their minimual wage employees for the collaps of their companies. Its like Bankers blaming their janitors and maids for the Banking Crisis.

[etwyzkv]

The big corporations have the money, govt has the power. Money & power scratch each other's backs to gain more money & more power. In the meantime the public is fed bread & circuses and kept in line under the illusion of democracy and rights.

[fortedrummer]

One of my seventh grade teachers, who taught civics, required our class to watch Reagan's inauguration in the classroom on January 20, 1981. So I saw him say "government is the problem" in real time. Even then, I didn't like him at all. I liked the idea that the government could help people in need. Our teacher loudly cheered him on from behind her desk. My generation turned out to be very conservative and reactionary, and pro-neoliberal, for the most part.

[TheMansfieldlad]

Gotta say it's a rare thing to get a book on these subjects for FREE so the poor can educate themselves. Well done and thank you !!!

[MarionGrisdale]

No water supply, no electrical supply should be privatized!! No food must be kept from the people who need good! No housing shelter should be kept from the people !! Food, clean drinking water, shelter clothes need to be a BIRTHRIGHT !!

[elonmusksellssnakeoil]

"Government is the problem!" - guy who sought out the highest position in the government.

[erikeparsels]

Neoliberalism isn't "market" fundamentalism, because corporate players try to escape market discipline at every opportunity. It is "private investment and profit fundamentalism" or "capitalist fundamentalism" or "corporate fundamentalism".

[chunlingtong]

Ben, thank you 😊 from my mei mei (sister) love your analysis & please keep up the good work.

[Avery-wyxh]

There is no way rents can remain this high with the wages being this flat. People simply wont pay it.

[ttystikkrocks]

I feel like I'm getting a minor in geopolitical economics, one hour at a time. This is extremely valuable subject matter in terms of understanding the economic forces at work in the world, who benefits- and who loses.

[donnab.]

You are absolutely right about the definition of liberalism. I didn't learn the true definition of liberalism until I took a government class during my doctoral studies. I was so shocked. Liberalism coincides with Libertarians.

[arturoanton]

I have learned a lot from this Ben Norton & Radhika video by seing this doctrine changing its fancy names while its purpose remained constant: stealing from the working class.Amazing.

[maxrobespierre]

It’s a FEATURE of capitalism, not an anomaly. This is unavoidable when individuals and corporations have the money and the connections to exert constant pressure using both carrots and sticks as the tools crush resistance.

[jordansoviet]

I hate corporations literally making the lives of the masses miserable. It is focusing on profits than pursuing the general welfare of the people thar really make me angry and sad whenever I see homeless and old people begging alms just to buy food for their immediate medical issues.


Almost every day I see this here in the Philippines. Water, electric and telecommunications utilities getting more expensive. Most of all you cannot afford to get sick here because hospitals are mostly privately owned. If you don't have money for down payment for immediate medical attention then you die or your medical conditions worsen.

[stegoheg]

I thought I had learned economics. But I had actually been spoon fed an ideology - thanks to Ben, Radhika (and Michael) for all of your work. You have freed my mind from the shackles of propagandized junk economics. Now I am making connections and seeing the world as I have never seen it before. It's quite destabilizing but I would rather know the truth of things. Keep up the outstanding work.