I had begun to understand that although most Americans have no idea that lifestyles are built on exploitation, millions of people in other countries are aware of it.

Hello, I am John Perkins, author, speaker, and former economic hit man. My journey through the corridors of global finance and geopolitics has given me a unique perspective on the systems that shape our world. Today, I’d like to discuss a realization I came to during my work: "I had begun to understand that although most Americans have no idea that lifestyles are built on exploitation, millions of people in other countries are aware of it." This quote reflects my awakening to the harsh realities of a global system that sustains prosperity for some at the cost of hardship for many. It’s a truth that became evident to me as I traveled to countries whose resources and labor were siphoned to fuel the consumerism and wealth of more privileged nations.