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Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making
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MSRP: $26.00
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Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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Additional Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making Information
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Each of them is one in a million. They number six thousand on a planet of six billion. They run our governments, our largest corporations, the powerhouses of international finance, the media, world religions, and, from the shadows, the world’s most dangerous criminal and terrorist organizations. They are the global superclass, and they are shaping the history of our time. Today’s superclass has achieved unprecedented levels of wealth and power. They have globalized more rapidly than any other group. But do they have more in common with one another than with their own countrymen, as nationalist critics have argued? They control globalization more than anyone else. But has their influence fed the growing economic and social inequity that divides the world? What happens behind closeddoor meetings in Davos or aboard corporate jets at 41,000 feet? Conspiracy or collaboration? Deal-making or idle self-indulgence? What does the rise of Asia and Latin America mean for the conventional wisdom that shapes our destinies? Who sets the rules for a group that operates beyond national laws? Drawn from scores of exclusive interviews and extensive original reporting, Superclass answers all of these questions and more. It draws back the curtain on a privileged society that most of us know little about, even though it profoundly affects our everyday lives. It is the first in-depth examination of the connections between the global communities of leaders who are at the helm of every major enterprise on the planet and control its greatest wealth. And it is an unprecedented examination of the trends within the superclass, which are likely to alter our politics, our institutions, and the shape of the world in which we live. David Rothkopf is the author of Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power. He is the president and chief executive of Garten Rothkopf, an international advisory firm; a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and a teacher of international affairs at Columbia University’s Graduate School of International and Public Affairs. David Rothkopf estimates that there are six thousand members of the superclass—on a planet of six billion. They are the wealthiest, the most elite, and they hold the most power. They run our governments, our largest corporations, the powerhouses of international finance, the media, world religions, and, from the shadows, the world’s most dangerous criminal and terrorist organizations. The six thousand people who compose the global superclass are shaping the history of our time.
Today’s superclass has achieved unprecedented levels of wealth and power. Nationalist critics have argued that they have more in common with one another than with their own countrymen. They have globalized more rapidly than any other group—they control globalization—but they have been accused of feeding the growing economic and social inequity that divides the world. What happens inside closed-door meetings in Davos or aboard corporate jets at 41,000 feet? Conspiracy or collaboration? Deal-making or idle self-indulgence? What does the rise of Asia and Latin America mean for the conventional wisdom that shapes our destinies? Who sets the rules for a group that operates beyond national laws?
Drawn from exclusive interviews and extensive original reporting, Superclass answers all of these questions as it draws back the curtain on a privileged society that most of us know little about, even though it profoundly affects our everyday lives. It is the first in-depth examination of the connections between the global communities of leaders who are at the helm of every major enterprise on the planet and control its greatest wealth. And it is an unprecedented examination of the trends within the superclass, which are likely to alter our politics, our institutions, and the shape of the world in which we live. "Mr. Rothkopf's book argues that on many of the most critical issues of our time, the influence of all nation-states is waning, the system for addressing global issues among nation-states is more ineffective than ever, and therefore a power void is being created. This void is often being filled by a small group of players—'the superclass'—a new global elite, who are much better suited to operating on the global stage and influencing global outcomes than the vast majority of national political leaders." —Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times "Mr. Rothkopf's book argues that on many of the most critical issues of our time, the influence of all nation-states is waning, the system for addressing global issues among nation-states is more ineffective than ever, and therefore a power void is being created. This void is often being filled by a small group of players—'the superclass'—a new global elite, who are much better suited to operating on the global stage and influencing global outcomes than the vast majority of national political leaders." —Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times
"Mr Rothkopf makes a fascinating tour of the world of the superclass. He opens the door to the office of the head of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, on the top floor of Goldman's tower on New York's Broad Street. He visits the factory that customises Gulfstream jets (every year nearly 10% of Gulfstream's clients attend Davos). He calls on the Carlyle Group where financiers and former presidents get together to make each other richer. And he offers a tour of the weird proceedings of the Bohemian Grove meetings, which Richard Nixon described as 'the most faggy goddamned thing you could ever imagine' . . . Superclass is a pioneering study of a subject that has often been the preserve of conspiracy theorists. Mr Rothkopf is anything but a crank, and he is right when he says that, these days, the most influential people around the world are also the most global people. He is also admirably ambivalent about his subject. He worries about surging inequality—the richest 1% of humans own 40% of the planet's wealth—and about the rumbling backlash against so much unaccountable power. But he points out that, in a world where most global institutions are lumbering and antiquated, members of the superclass have repeatedly stepped in to put the global system to rights. Let us hope that they have not lost their touch."—The Economist
"If you're trying to figure out where to throw your Molotov cocktails, David Rothkopf's book proves you've got your work cut out for you. The businessman and former Clinton official spent years crunching numbers and trailing the 6,000 or so 'power elite' who make most of the decisions about how the planet works. Neither a gossipfest nor an anarchist call to arms, this measured book demonstrates the way these elite businessmen anonymously influence politicians and dictators, and take advantage of international chaos to advance their own interests."—New York magazine
"There are just over 6,000 people in the superclass. So says the author of this fascinating book, a field guide to the world's most élite citizens. See the rich and powerful in their natural habitats, from Davos and Bilderberg to the Bohemian Grove. 'That such a group exists is indisputable,' says Rothkopf, who includes such power brokers as heads of state, CEOs of the world's largest companies, billionai
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What Customers Say About Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making:
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At worst this is but a verbose and meandering volume of sychophantic drivel that panders to the elites and relegates the rest of humanity to the role of an ignorant and helpless herd of sheep.Much like Squealer in Orwell's Animal Farm, Mr Rothkopf attempts in vain to elucidate at great lengths what makes these individuals special and why they should be entrusted to carry our species forward towards much prosperity and development. In essence, he is an advocate of the fox guarding the hen house theory.One mustn't forget that Mr. However, it did not take me much time to gauge the direction in which this book was heading but nevertheless I kept on reading until I had finished it.So, my verdict.
They are they elected by no people, yet reap most of the benefits generated by the common man's labour and pillaging of OUR resources. Rothkopf is one of Henry Kissinger's cohorts and an ex-managing director of KISSINGER ASSOCIATES, the New York based international consulting firm, founded and run by Henry Kissinger. Most interestingly, he firmly adheres to the notion that these superclasses who transcend national governments should remain self-regulated rather be meddled with (tell that to Wall Street).
As a fervent follower of the globalization debate I like to maintain an objective view of both sides of the arguement, hence I borrowed this book from a friend in order to perhaps gain a better understanding of the culture and dynamics of the "superclass". All he adduces for support is the standard trickle-down economics hogwash advocated by adherents of free-market capitalism and the hope that one day, we ourselves might one day join the ranks of the "superclass" (Small print: You must be a white male, belong to an elite family, be a middle aged-old fart, attend an elite western university, have inherited or created a sizeable fortune, network with the rich and powerful, be a high-ranking member or owner of a global corporation)Mr Rothkopf has no qualms that this "superclass", unlike national governments have no accountability whatsoever towards the common man, but rather they are only accountable to their own shareholders and bank accounts. Thus, it is in his own best interest to paint a rosy, jovial and altruistic picture of the world of these 'enlightened' elites, many of whom perchance happen to be favoured and prestigious clients.ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUALBUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS
At best this book adorns and justifies the existence of such an elite "superclass" as a natural evolution of mankind. However, what he fails to address in detail (despite his agreement that many of these individuals and corporations carry more clout than most nation states) how the rest of humanity will be better off by taking the backseat and letting these megalomaniacs (he himself rather admits to that fact) take to the wheel.
Ever wonder what the morons on top of the world think - check out this gaseous piffle and learn about fondue at DAvos. This is an absolutely preposterous book - allegedly a report on the elite of this world, but actually a sycophantic effusion from a world-class stooge. Using real statistics and fake consideration of the real evil and on-going criminality of this class, this work of lickspittle nonsense deserves worst book of the decade nomination.
well this book speaks truth to power. we are screwed. I came across a page that answered that question, and gave me a moment of pause. I don't like reading long, boring dribble, but this book really keeps my attention with good examples. The struggle that goes on between these oligarchy groups, and why nothing gets done with politicians. My search was to follow up on a thought i had about an oligarchy society.
tried so hard to rule through many generations. You like reading survival books. I did a search and came up with a good listing of books. People.working class. It was a great buy. I used the resources, provided by Amazon, to read some pages to see if this book would answer questions i had why rich people, political families.(Bush,Kennedy s,etc.).
then i purchased the book.
If you are looking for real content, look elsewhere. I cannot stand reading a book when what I am reading is mostly distracting filler; you can get that from any inane Television show. This guy is trying to gain points from the Globalists. The whole premise of this very dull and unimaginative book is to make people think that "They are just like Us" and the globalists just talk about tennis and French food at their secret meetings.
Military and religious leaders not to be disregarded·Top influencers, increasingly connected Globalization rules·Enormous power of corporations in nowadays world. Interesting reading if you are tired of conspiracy theories and want to get an inside view (only to a certain degree). of the global eliteSome of the main points that I got out of this book:·Increased power of global entrepreneurs and emerging economies·Power is shifting away from nations.
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