Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Insights into the Power of Corporations

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Friday, February 7, 2014

Insights into the Power of Corporations

Click here to access a transcript of a speech by Brid Brennan at the Public Eye Awards Press Conference, Davos, Switzerland January 23, 2014 (shortly before the meetings of the World Economic Forum) posted on Transnational Institute.

On 23 January, the Berne Declaration (BD) and Greenpeace Switzerland gave away the 2014 Public Eye Awards. The press conference, at which the winners were announced, turned into a lively debate about the downside of economic growth, the sheer unlimited power of multinational corporations and their lack of responsibility for people and the environment.

At the press conference, held at the Protestant Church Community Center in Davos, .... Brid Brennan from the Transnational Institute of Policy Studies...presented the institute’s new report “State of Corporate Power” which demonstrates just how powerful transnational corporations have become, and how much they continue to benefit from the ongoing economic and financial crisis.

(Incidentally, there were two Hall of Shame awards: the first was by popular vote awarded to Gazprom, the second was awarded by a panel of experts which gave it to Gap corporation.)

Isn't it strange that you didn't see this event reported in your local media? (sarcasm) Either the news wire services did not distribute a report of it, or media corporations refused to provide coverage.