Corporate Rule: Understanding and Challenging the New World Order

Examines the threat of corporate rule to individuals, communities, and the environment.

A deep gap is growing between the promises of the new global capitalism and the reality of the social breakdown, inequality, insecurity, spiritual emptiness, and environmental destruction left in its wake. What went wrong, and why?

Beginning in the 1960s, social, economic, and political observers expressed concern over the role of multinational corporations. As the global economy has evolved, it is the transnational corporation that provokes apprehension. Increasingly, concentrations of economic, social and political power are being held by a few strong companies. Corporate Rule shows how devastating these effects have been to both the planet and the majority of its inhabitants.

This hard-hitting title examines all aspects of corporate rule and the underlying ideology which serves corporate interests. In particular, it examines its main control mechanisms: trade agreements, the media, and the popular culture, naming corporate rule a form of tyranny no different than the tyrannies of dictators, monarchs, or the church.

Though a searing indictment of an unjust international economic order, it is also a guide to the average person on how to understand and address the enormous challenges of our time. The book argues that the most promising alternative is a world of healthy market economies that function as extensions of healthy local ecosystems to meet the needs of people and communities.

Millions of people are acting to reclaim their political and economic power from these elitist forces, challenging the status quo, saying 'no' to the myth that global capitalism is not only inevitable, but necessary. At this critical time in history, Model believes that if we truly want to meet our future needs, we must intentionally build a radical new post-corporate world that will sustainable community.

Offers a penetrating look at neoliberal policies, how they are being shamelessly promoted by their beneficiaries in every sector of society, and their brutal consequences...but also offers an alternative vision of a society that supports the well-being of all of its members.--Neil Brooks, Osgoode Hall Law School

A welcome addition to the growing volume of work critiquing neo-liberalism in its many forms. --Thomas Walkom, Toronto Star, and author of Rae Days: The Rise and Follies of the NDP

An important contribution which challenges us to move beyond debate to political activism. --Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, President, Canadian Automobile Workers

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: 15 Minutes

The need for action; Explaining inaction; Arguments for action

Chapter 2: Building Democracy

Fair elections; Campaign finance reform; The media and elections; Lobbying Parliamentary system

Chapter 3: Neoliberal economic and social policies

The debt; Slashing social programs; Interest rate policy; Friedman economics; Tax breaks

Chapter 4: Impact - Poverty

Measuring poverty; Poverty; Child poverty; Food banks; Homelessness; Social Housing

Chapter 5: Impact - Environment

Global warming; Smog; Acid rain; Deforestation; Biodiversity; Genetically modified food

Chapter 6: Fair Trade

Globalization; Trade agreements; Comparative advantage; Dispute settlement mechanisms; Examples of NAFTA challenges; Examples of WTO challenges; Intellectual property rights; National treatment; Impact of trade agreements; Fair trade

Chapter 7: Deception

Filters in the media; News Values; Lack of Investigative Reporting; Under-reported stories; Missing Stories

Chapter 8: Distraction

Understanding inaction; Entertainment culture; Celebrity Culture; Messages in Our Popular Culture

Chapter 9: Alternative Technologies and Strategies

Conservation; Solar energy; Wind energy; Biomass energy; Genuine Progress Indicator; Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Shorter working hours

Chapter 10: Five-Fold Path of Activism

Guide to action


David Model teaches political science at Seneca College in King City, Ontario. He is the author of People Before Profits.

2002: 216 pages, resources, bibliography and index