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The concept for this book is very worthwhile: essentially to update C. Wright Mills), there would also likely be disadvantages--Rothkopf's more impressionistic perspective feels pragmatic and accessible. Those of us concerned about growing global inequality like to rail against the injustice, but we tend not to take the time to really understand why the system works as it does. Instead, he is a bureaucrat of enough note to have some fertile access to the "superclass" but not quite enough to truly be a member. I do think this particular book got a bit repetitive, and could have used a more penetrating central argument, but I also think it redeems itself by offering a reasoned and important perspective on the crucial issue of inequality. At points, in fact, I got the sense that much of Rothkopf's perspective derived from a very slight sense of envy--his book seems to be partially a somewhat obscured investigation into why the author himself has not quite obtained superclass status. Wright Mills classic sociological study of "The Power Elite." The author, however, is not a social scientist like Mills. For me, the perspective of this book was best summed up by a quote, attributed to an anonymous diplomat, that I found very thought provoking (and I paraphrase): Americans like to act on what the believe, rather than what they know.
But I liked the book for what it was worth: a thoughtfully moderate book that provides a descriptive account of one side of growing global inequality. Though there would be advantages to getting a more incisive and systematic analysis (as might be provided by a truer heir to C. And that requires just as much attention to the occasionally bland descriptions of the power elite as to the oddly enticing descriptions of the truly disadvantaged.
And he loves'em all. "excessive regulations." "unreasonable regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley." Schwarzman as a model for prudent and ethical capitalism. Fex, we learn that the board of Citibank includes (or hopefully, included) the ex-CIA John Deutsch and (now infamous) ex-Secretary Robert Rubin; the board of AIG included ex-Secretary William Cohen, former CEA chairman Feldstein, former Ambassador Holbrooke, former SEC chief Sutton etc. And connections it brings.
(We snagged Pinochet, and one day we're gonna grab Henry and send him where he deserves to be). When it comes to Israel and the Palestinian question, the man gives the appearance of unfair bias. maybe i am missing something but Rothkopf's thesis appears to be that what makes successful people successful is success. On he goes, breathlessly, citing peerless visions of Alan Greenspan and his ideological buddy Schwarzman, of Blackstone. the only thing missing in this sycophantic ode to snake oil merchants is a Phil Gramm quote.
Is it surprising then to see that the principal superhero of this book is no other than that ultimate altruist and lover of humanity, Kissinger. Rothberg apparently believes that there is one vast network of a few thousand well-connected people who are running the show on this planet through hubs at meetings of Bilderberg, Trilateral Commission & Davos crowds. A Rothkopf quote may be in order here to get a sense of the man's writing style (p.119): "While not speaking with the kind of historical insight of Greenspan, Schwarzman illustrated another major consequence of the epochal awakening of our age. A straightforward analysis suggests that Palestinians are simply desperate people whose land was appropriated by a well-financed, well-organized system in many cases financed by members of Rothkopf's "Superclass".
Hmmm. No mater how crooked or unprincipled, what seems to matter to David R. is that his hero has money and influence. Anyway - as far as i am concerned - Rothkopf's personal political instincts are fundamentally decent with one glaring exception. hmmm. We have now been been watching systematic ethnic cleansing, war crimes and apartheid for decades; Palestinian land, water, resources have been effectively stolen, their olive groves destroyed every day, new settlements built, a whole nation ghettoized - and nobody dares to lift a finger. While the starry-eyed, breathless and reverent descriptions of assorted billionaire tycoons, financial wheelers & dealers and military brass may be annoying to some reviewers here, Rothkopf is in fact at his best enumerating the incestuous relationships between financial, political, military and entertainment industries in the US of A.
Definitely a testament to the Superelite's influence on American foreign policy. America is losing competitiveness because of regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley". "historical insight of Alan Greenspan". There are quotes on "Israeli military authorities" dealing with "Palestinian terrorists" that, imo, preclude rational analysis and revert to some kind of a knee-jerk tribal thing. In a nutshell, while I can't remember a single major idea or insight I do not regret spending the time.
The author provides some interesting ideas and insights but you really need to wade through a lot of biased, agenda driven narrative to find those few nuggets of information.The author does little to provide a veneer of objectivity. I was hoping to find a book that I could sink my teeth into and digest some good facts and ideas. I was disappointed wading through this cotton candy environment with little to sink my teeth into. His constant name dropping and references of who he talked to and where does little to provide a base of his authority.The author seems to enjoy breathing the same rarified air of the elite and obviously wants to be part of their world and espouse their worldview. Due to this obsession and the nature of his job, he must maintain a good working relationship with this network of people and therefore there is little to NO criticism of his esteemed elite or go hungry.
This book takes a LOT of time to say very little. c) I know who the others are---but I'm not going to tell you.d) They all get together once each year in Davos;e) Davos is quaint, and has good restaurants, but inadequate lodging; and,f) Oh, did I forget to tell you. In summary, here's what the author takes several hundred pages to tell us:a) The world is ruled by an informal group of about 6,000 people;b) I [the author] am one of them. Aren't I special. I'M one of the Davos world elite. I AM special.
The author must be a powerful person as I can't see how the publisher would publish such a book with lot of words, with little meat. I borrowed this book from a public library. Otherwise, I would be regret ever buying this book. The flow of thoughts are poorly organized. The only take I have from this book is Davos is a cool place to be when all the big names are in town.
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