Rating: 
Summary: How Corporations Came to Rule
Review: How is it that corporations have come to exert so much power and influence over our everyday lives, to have rights and privileges unavailable to individuals, to take so much from, and return so little to, the general wealth both of this country and the rest of the world?
Thom Hartmann traces the history of corporations from their Elizabethian inception in the East India Company to the present; he describes in some detail the changes in the relationship among corporations, their governmental patrons and their societal prey. Historically corporations were granted charters by governments subject to their being monitored, controlled and mandated to provide for the general good in exchange for specific commissions and concessions. In America's early history, this principle was understood and effectively implemented to control the excesses of corporate behavior. Then in 1886, the US Supreme Court ruled on arguments in the case of Santa Clara County[CA] v Southern Pacific Railway. A clerical misstatement in the court reporter's notes, separate and distinct from the formal decision, led to the interpretation that the Bill of Rights was intended to apply to corporations, not just individual human beings. Although Jefferson had cautioned specifically against the power of corporations unrestrained, thenceforth their lawyers have succeeded in prizing successively greater concessions from and precedences over the rights of individuals.
Acceptance of corporations as 'persons', entitled to the same rights and restrictions as human beings, has come to be capriciously applied. Corporations buy, sell, trade, dismember, even kill other corporations - the corporate equivalent of slavery - without being held accountable as they would if corporations were human beings. There are other glaring inconsistencies in the logic of corporate 'personhood' but our law is governed more by precedent, than by logic, or common sense. Once entrenched and established, no matter how egregiously erroneous, the tradition of corporate personhood would take an act of Congress, or an amendment to the Constitution, to rectify the mistake.
There are a number of fallacies in the assignment of 'person' status to fictitious, fictional entities such as corporations. A principal function of good government is to level the playing field between the weak and powerful, to protect the weak from the predatory ravages of the strong. Although all 'men' are presumed equal, in rights if not in innate abilities, corporations are clearly, intrinsically, manifestly vastly more powerful than any one man or small group of men. As Hartmann shows, this difference in power is important yet our present governance fails utterly to protect the populace from the ravages of corporate rapacity and indifference to the plights of its victims.
Although the purpose of government is to provide for the general good, while minimizing harm to the weak and minority interests, the purpose of corporations is to accumulate wealth for its management and stockholders without regard to the source of that wealth. The wealth of a few individuals is not coincident with the general good. Nor are the managers and stockholders of a concern, a tiny subset of the general populace, coincident with the general population. Thus the purposes of good government in general do not coincide, indeed are often at odds, with the purposes of any given corporation.
Further, the activities of corporations in the aggregate - concentrating and focussing wealth for their individual stockholders by taking it from the general population - does not result in general good for the population. The myth that entities acting in unrestrained pursuit of their self-interests somehow produce the greater general good is amply disproven by the history of the American experiment. Rather the general wealth and good is redistributed, concentrated and focused to the benefit of the most powerful and the detriment of the least. Left to themselves, corporations parasitize the general population, suck the wealth out of it for corporate gain while often degrading the environment and denuding the resources employed to accumulate that gain. Corporatism results not in shared wellbeing for the general population but concentrated and focussed wellbeing for a few in a sea of general deprivation.
In other chapters, Hartmann describes the effect of Free Trade and the supranational World Trade Organization: to ravage national economies for the benefit of Corporations, to degrade the wellbeing of the middle class and workers in developed countries, only minimally to improve that of those in developing countries, while enriching the beneficiaries of corporations. Wealth and wellbeing are transferred from those who need it, to those who have it already.
Mussolini defined fascism as the merger of state and corporate power. It appears that America, indeed the entire planet, is well on its way to becoming a fascist state. Ruled by corporations, our 'elected' leaders and representatives are beholden and accountable principally to the interests of their various corporate contributors, only secondarily to the public. It is perhaps ironic that Hartmann, a self-confessed 'founder and former CEO of seven corporations that have generated over a quarter billion dollars in revenue', concludes this fascinating book with proposed grass-roots intiatives to unravel the tangled skein of corporate dominance. He offers no alternatives to the corporate model for the management of production and the distribution of wealth and wellbeing. Rather he advocates the return of effective control and regulation of corporations to the people, making them less the victims of corporations and more their overseers and regulators; and he and offers model actions to be pursued at the local level. But the present processes of government from legislatures to the courts are seemingly similarly enthralled to business interests intent on maximizing profit, not the general welfare. Whether or to what extent anything can be done to reverse this state of affairs is unclear. Readers will be provoked to wonder whether there are other means of advancing the general good and wellbeing than increasing the disparity in both for the general populations. Rather than a definitive solution to the problem of corporatism, this book provides a clear, readable and provocative depiction of the extent of that overwhelming problem.
...
Rating:
Summary: Response to that Moron "danieleclark"
Review: I consider Thom Hartmann to be a thoughtful, intelligent man. He continues to impress many (including me) with his broad knowledge of many issues. He has written books on a variety of subjects including spirituality, behavioral disorders (or lack thereof), environmental science, and now the corporate dominance of the faultless biosphere we all reside in.I believe Thom is tackling the subject of globalization and corporate tyranny because he feels his heartstrings being pulled in that direction. I assume he believes corporate dominance and the direct connection it has to the destruction of our natural resource base is probably the most urgent and most serious problem the world faces. I commend him for trying his best to educate himself and inform the largely naive public about this veiled, yet very worrisome, threat. The book is divided into 4 separate parts, yet there are only three major divisions one will notice in the book: >A general outline of how corporations usurped power from the individual >The problems a corporate-dominant world poses >Alternatives visions and solutions The historical overview, although very informative, can be a very laborious read at certain points. I think Thom took up far too much pagespace outlining the history of the corporate rise to dominance in America - about 160 pages are used to articulate it. Many will probably find parts of the overview to be quite boring and unnecessary. For instance: "In 1788, Jefferson wrote aobut his concerns (regarding corporations) to several people. In a letter to Mr. A. Donald, on February 7, he defined the items that should be in a bill of right." "ON February 12, 1788 Jefferson wrote to Mr. Dumas about his pleasure that the U.S. Constitution was about to be ratified, but also expressed concerns about what was missing from the Constitution" "By midsummer of 1788, things were moving along and Jefferson was helping his close friend James Madison write the Bill of Rights." "The following year, on March 13, he wrote to Francis Hopkinson about continuing objection to monopolies." Does it surprise anybody or help illuminate the present-day debacle that is corporate domination by telling us over and over again that Thomas Jefferson wrote letters and had various conversations showing he was against corporate monopolies. I would hope most people would have a basic understanding of the Revolutionary mindset of the late 18th century in America if they are reading this book. I found very little appealing about most of the historical overview. The nature of consolidated power versus individual rights has been a perpetual once since the dawn of civilization. Understanding a nearly transparent film of history doesn't allow the uninformed reader to have a true grasp on the nature of the problem or a sagacity of thought from a more timeless perspective. I wouldn't expect most people to agree that a 200 year historical outline is as short-sighted as I see it, so please, feel free to reject my criticism as it only reflects my personal tastes. The book immediately begins to deliver where Thom mercifully lays to rest the bland, and mostly obvious, timeline of American corporate dominance. Where Thom begins to deconstruct the modern inequalities John Edwards would describe as "separate Americas", he begins to shine. He draws on his own common-sense with demonstrates sagacity, along with powerful thinkers and economists of our time including David Korten, Joseph Stiglitz, George Soros and even takes a line from the Iroquois Constitution to demonstrate how the actions of today can be of ill-effect to generations down the road. Yes, there is plenty of recycled, fairly obvious rehashings in this 360 page book, so I won't recommend it to all of you (as I did in a previous review of this same book). If you are salivating for a revolutionary book which will put a spark under your activist heinie, this book is certainly not for you. If you are looking for a broad, well-researched yet independent-minded tome on globalization and corporate-dominance supported by facts and not necessarily by flair, this book will probably be of interest to you. It reads much like a textbook throughout and is brought forth in a very controlled manner. Other books on this subject sometimes let the reader feel the passionate indignation and frustration of the author - which I enjoy. This book most certainly does not.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Hartmann milks curious teethers.
Review: I consider Thom Hartmann to be a thoughtful, intelligent man. He continues to impress many (including me) with his broad knowledge of many issues. He has written books on a variety of subjects including spirituality, behavioral disorders (or lack thereof), environmental science, and now the corporate dominance of the faultless biosphere we all reside in. I believe Thom is tackling the subject of globalization and corporate tyranny because he feels his heartstrings being pulled in that direction. I assume he believes corporate dominance and the direct connection it has to the destruction of our natural resource base is probably the most urgent and most serious problem the world faces. I commend him for trying his best to educate himself and inform the largely naive public about this veiled, yet very worrisome, threat. The book is divided into 4 separate parts, yet there are only three major divisions one will notice in the book: >A general outline of how corporations usurped power from the individual >The problems a corporate-dominant world poses >Alternatives visions and solutions The historical overview, although very informative, can be a very laborious read at certain points. I think Thom took up far too much pagespace outlining the history of the corporate rise to dominance in America - about 160 pages are used to articulate it. Many will probably find parts of the overview to be quite boring and unnecessary. For instance: "In 1788, Jefferson wrote aobut his concerns (regarding corporations) to several people. In a letter to Mr. A. Donald, on February 7, he defined the items that should be in a bill of right." "ON February 12, 1788 Jefferson wrote to Mr. Dumas about his pleasure that the U.S. Constitution was about to be ratified, but also expressed concerns about what was missing from the Constitution" "By midsummer of 1788, things were moving along and Jefferson was helping his close friend James Madison write the Bill of Rights." "The following year, on March 13, he wrote to Francis Hopkinson about continuing objection to monopolies." Does it surprise anybody or help illuminate the present-day debacle that is corporate domination by telling us over and over again that Thomas Jefferson wrote letters and had various conversations showing he was against corporate monopolies. I would hope most people would have a basic understanding of the Revolutionary mindset of the late 18th century in America if they are reading this book. I found very little appealing about most of the historical overview. The nature of consolidated power versus individual rights has been a perpetual once since the dawn of civilization. Understanding a nearly transparent film of history doesn't allow the uninformed reader to have a true grasp on the nature of the problem or a sagacity of thought from a more timeless perspective. I wouldn't expect most people to agree that a 200 year historical outline is as short-sighted as I see it, so please, feel free to reject my criticism as it only reflects my personal tastes. The book immediately begins to deliver where Thom mercifully lays to rest the bland, and mostly obvious, timeline of American corporate dominance. Where Thom begins to deconstruct the modern inequalities John Edwards would describe as "separate Americas", he begins to shine. He draws on his own common-sense with demonstrates sagacity, along with powerful thinkers and economists of our time including David Korten, Joseph Stiglitz, George Soros and even takes a line from the Iroquois Constitution to demonstrate how the actions of today can be of ill-effect to generations down the road. Yes, there is plenty of recycled, fairly obvious rehashings in this 360 page book, so I won't recommend it to all of you (as I did in a previous review of this same book). If you are salivating for a revolutionary book which will put a spark under your activist heinie, this book is certainly not for you. If you are looking for a broad, well-researched yet independent-minded tome on globalization and corporate-dominance supported by facts and not necessarily by flair, this book will probably be of interest to you. It reads much like a textbook throughout and is brought forth in a very controlled manner. Other books on this subject sometimes let the reader feel the passionate indignation and frustration of the author - which I enjoy. This book most certainly does not.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book, then judge it....
Review: I have some doubts that "danielclark" actually read the book before he summarily passed judgement on it. A careful reading of the actual book reveals a highly balanced perspective on business and the corporate world. The author is not antibusiness or marxist, but rather classically conservative in that he advocates for corporate power being subordinate to the needs and rights of the people. A reviwer should know what he's reviewing, or else his thoughts on a particular work are utterly worthless.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book, then judge it....
Review: I have some doubts that "danielclark" actually read the book before he summarily passed judgement on it. A careful reading of the actual book reveals a highly balanced perspective on business and the corporate world. The author is not antibusiness or marxist, but rather classically conservative in that he advocates for corporate power being subordinate to the needs and rights of the people. A reviwer should know what he's reviewing, or else his thoughts on a particular work are utterly worthless.
Rating:
Summary: Better informed citizens make better choices
Review: If cheap is how you like your products and services then read the consequences of those purchases in usurped rights and world contamination. Unequal Protection is a critical asset to anyone interested in keeping informed of world ecological, human and political interests. The comparison books of political evidence blamming bi-partisanship for America's weak legislative role is debunked. The footnoted research points to resources including websites showing how small our corporate world really is but how well fed they are keeping themselves. I recommend this book for teenagers as well. The historical information that Thom has uncovered at length should not be kept from the new citizenry. Thom has done a fine job including not only statistics provided by the U.S. Department heads but also quotes from founding fathers and Presidents that take all confusion and skeptism whatsoever out of Supreme Court decisions that put words and concepts in the founders mouths that were blatently erroneous. Supplement to government courses. A continuous theme of the book is the Santa Clara landmark case which has been a zerox copied "mistake" to every nation using U.S. democracy as a role model. A mistake that needs the heart and mind to return the power to the people from corporate toxicity of the planet and humans. A very hardlined look with a, "let's keep to the facts" organization. Learn the real meaning and intention of "fast tracking" in U.S. Government and fast track being informed and empowered in the decisions you make and how you understand the aftermath of the U.N. WTO/GATT/NAFTA treaties affecting every citizen from cradle to grave. The names are huge in industry but the network small that brings them together. Well-written, researched, and footnoted. They call it "free trade" when really it is corporate aristocracy at its best.
Rating:
Summary: The Perils of False Personhood
Review: Ignore other reviewers of this book who use narrow-minded pejoratives like Anti-Corporate, Anti-Capitalist, or even Communist in condemning this book. Thom Hartmann is none of the above, and in this extremely important book he brings to light the horrific state of corporate control and the loss of human rights in modern times. And unlike some other books on this general topic that merely complain, Hartmann extensively researches the root causes that have turned the useful concept of the "corporation" into a monster. Corporations have inaccurately cited an obscure Supreme Court case from 1886, Santa Clara Country v. Southern Pacific Railroad, as giving them "personhood." Corporations have since claimed the rights of natural people and have trampled the Constitution regularly. Despicable abuses include claiming free speech rights under the 1st Amendment for campaign contributions and false advertising; claiming that health inspections and government oversight are unlawful searches under the 4th Amendment; and most obnoxiously, claiming that 14th Amendment protections against discrimination should insulate them from any local ordinances or taxes they don't like. Hartmann proves that lawsuits invoking these ideas usually win due to the vast resources of corporations, who also routinely abuse the legal system with frivolous lawsuits designed to crush little people who can't sacrifice several years and millions of dollars to mount a defense. Hartmann also takes his coverage to the global stage, with the havoc wreaked by multinationals in the nearly religious quest for the inaccurately named panacea of "free" trade. Another strength of this book is that Hartmann actually has solid ideas for change, which are far more useful than the pie-in-the-sky idealism of other writers on this subject. Admitting that the process may take decades, he nonetheless makes solid recommendations for utilizing the existing political process, and even old forgotten laws, to revoke the disastrous corporate personhood doctrine. This is a very well researched and informative book for those with real concerns and ideas for improving our fractured system. [~doomsdayer520~]
Rating:
Summary: We must take control of our fictional beasts
Review: Is resistance futile? Will we be assimilated and enslaved by corporations? -- fictional beings with perpetual life that cannot hear, cannot feel, that bleed money, but that are recognized, by mistake of a case reporter, as persons worthy of protection under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- an amendment to free the slaves. Hartmann expounds upon a thesis first discussed by Gerry Spence in his book "With Justice for None" and "Give Me Liberty". Hartmann analysis is thought provoking. It should be required reading for all concerned citizens who are concerned about liberty.
Rating:
Summary: We are Unaware
Review: Like most of us, I was unaware of the laws regarding corporate behavior. This book explains where their powers come from and what damage they are able to do on our democracy.
It is a profound duty for every American to read this book, and to review the 2 documents that began this country, the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution. Our founders were aware of these dangers but sadly, we are not.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: Like The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, I like this book because Thom Hartmann writes not only about what is going wrong today, but really puts in all the history that brought us here. He then also lays out the solution and what steps to take to change it. People need to be educated about who rules the world with such unfairness. I know some many still don't know or don't understand what is going on. Spread the word.
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