The New Rulers of the World

The New Rulers of the World

2001, Conspiracy  -   94 Comments
8.62
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Ratings: 8.62/10 from 515 users.

In order to examine the true effects of globalization, Pilger turns the spotlight on Indonesia, a country described by the World Bank as a model pupil until its globalized economy collapsed in 1998. The film examines the use of sweatshop factories by famous brand names, and asks some penetrating questions. Who are the real beneficiaries of the globalized economy?

Who really rules the world now? Is it governments or a handful of huge companies? The Ford Motor Company alone is bigger than the economy of South Africa. Enormously rich men, like Bill Gates, have a wealth greater than all of Africa. Pilger goes behind the hype of the new global economy and reveals that the divisions between the rich and poor have never been greater -- two thirds of the world's children live in poverty -- and the gulf is widening like never before.

The film looks at the new rulers of the world -- the great multinationals and the governments and institutions that back them -- the IMF and the World Bank. Under IMF rules, millions of people throughout the world lose their jobs and livelihood. The reality behind much of modern shopping and the famous brands is a sweatshop economy, which is being duplicated in country after country.

The film travels to Indonesia and Washington, asking challenging questions seldom raised in the mainstream media and exposing the scandal of globalization, including revealing interviews with top officials of the World Bank and the IMF. (Excerpt from bullfrogfilms.com)

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Sokami
Sokami
5 years ago

This is an highly informative documentary about how Capitalism and its twin brother 'imperialism' works as a system. This should be listed under Economics, not conspiracy

Lando
Lando
5 years ago

52:41 A Document from the US Space Command. 17 years later it eerily resembles President Trump's "Space Force" It even says Space Forces in the article. :O

Daniel
Daniel
5 years ago

Excellent Documentary!! Should be under Society / Economics, not Conspiracy.

DJB
DJB
7 years ago

I agree with Aidan... I've lived in the country of Indonesia from 97, speak the language and have mixed with the people from old to young. Many of the old resent the west due to the exploitation of what was (or is) rightfully theirs. Corporations have played a major part in ripping off the people from the wealth of the country, it has only benefited a select few, especially under the dictatorship of the Suharto empire... Unfortunately, the world is mostly informed by government rhetoric so history was buried in this case...

Aidan
Aidan
7 years ago

I can kind of understand the reasoning behind putting this in the conspiracy section but I'm not sure it really belongs. The doings of globalized financial institutions are pretty well documented and their criticisms are generally founded from a place of structural analysis of capitalist economics and incentive (for lack of less stuffy terms.) As opposed to some cabal of evil powerful men who run the entire globe from the shadows and control all things with impunity like the illuminati. John Pilger himself, though controversial, is hardly on the same plane as the likes of Alex Jones.

I would say the documentary is certainly controversial, but not conspiracy theory material.

david zalben
david zalben
7 years ago

Mr. Fischer fails to understand the debt was created not by the poor, but by corrupt leaders selling out their own people.

Izzydoesit
Izzydoesit
7 years ago

I had to laugh at the IMF executives, one who who tried to pass off genocide as an unfortunate tragedy--as if it were the sinking of a ferry--and the other who poo-pooh'd debt relief as a way to improve the plight of severely impoverished people. These people are monsters. Anyone who justifies enslaving people in order to live an obscenely luxurious life needs to face a firing squad. How about the World Bank and IMF sign a pledge not to lend money to nations who do not provide their citizens with a living wage, health care, nutritious food and affordable, safe housing, and an education. No social safety net for your citizens, no loans--period. Unfortunately, rich people love cheap labor and corrupt governments who will provide them with it. The French were right: off with their heads!

Teresa
Teresa
8 years ago

How can this happen - can't we help them - can they help themselves - is there not a single thing anyone can do to force employers to be more humane - it's outrageous - I don't understand economy and stuff like that and what countries do to help each other out but this 2016 and people are starving and dying while the rich there throw away more food in a meal than the poor get in a week - it's shameful I guess if the western world just boycotted and didn't buy anything from them that would help - I guess we're just not that kind of people. I am ashamed.

Pedro Soares
Pedro Soares
8 years ago

Great doc. Wrong category though. Think it should be a 'society' doc.

Sean O'Brian
Sean O'Brian
8 years ago

14 years old and still as , if not more relevant in today's world. Vote for Bernie Sanders.

Craig C
Craig C
8 years ago

Great documentary. It reminds me of the book " the economic hit man" who worked for organizations such as the world bank and was encourage to recommend loan to countries in the knowledge that it would never be paid. The only option left by the lenders was to take take a % of the natural resources and rape the country.

RBM
RBM
9 years ago

Excellent doc. Still relevant and needs to be viewed by as many people as possible.

Berty Popperdopper
Berty Popperdopper
9 years ago

planned obsolescence .

PeaceAndLoveBruv
PeaceAndLoveBruv
9 years ago

The only legitimate and genuine solution to all of this is a Resource Based Economy. Watch Zeitgeist, Watch The Venus Project and spread the solution. Viva la revolution!

Jane Doe
Jane Doe
9 years ago

you watch this and your heart and stomach just sink to despair. ....like, i can't. i just can't even

PaulBraveheart
PaulBraveheart
9 years ago

Psychopaths rule the world and we let them!

DaveWigan
DaveWigan
9 years ago

I live in the UK. Under Tony Blair, we had 10 million poor children. Under Cameron and Nick Cl egg that number has risen. We also now have Food Banks. Shame on The European Union, Globalization and everything it stands for.We now know why JFK wanted to deal with the IMF. God help us all unless someone somewhere stops this.

CAMERON SCOTT
CAMERON SCOTT
9 years ago

Just in case you guys don't know, this whole manufactured global financial crisis is by design. The objective is to bring us down and make us so desperate for a job we have to take whatever we can get. And it's working. Soon we won't be worried about Indonesia because when they level the playing field we will be like every other third world country and it won't be long, either.

winston
winston
9 years ago

The wealthiest 85 people on the planet control the same wealth as the poorest half of humanity.

barbalicous
barbalicous
10 years ago

the new rulers of the nation, this is awful, those poor people it really constitutes slave labor, CEO's like the GAP CEO should be arrested for slavery and crimes of humanity, GAP is not alone

user xyyyz
user xyyyz
10 years ago

what an amazing site. Some excellent docs here. Especially like Audio Ammunition w the Clash and The Precursors of the Inca

Karmaloop codes
Karmaloop codes
10 years ago

Super Cool!

Tom Chuong
Tom Chuong
10 years ago

For one to succeed, another must fail.

onefeather
onefeather
10 years ago

This needs to be shown on every tv station, and Gap and Old Navy and Nike and all the rest should be brought up on charges. This is so wrong, it is evil, mean and greedy in what they are doing to the people who work making their products, or better yet the owners and all the people who are the Big players in these companies should be made to live and work as these people do for a 5 year run. I bet only then they might change things, no change then you work there until there is or shut them down, and it should be law.

ali naqvi
ali naqvi
11 years ago

know i understand the globalization agenda is basically colonialism is the 21st century.
The world bank, imf, wto only support the 1% who control the world.

seamus watson
seamus watson
11 years ago

These leeches lie for a living, yet I still get infuriated when they pretend nothing is wrong.

seamus watson
seamus watson
11 years ago

TIME is a filthy rag. Always has been. Their front cover is like a who's who of the world biggest scumbags.

gracetoday
gracetoday
11 years ago

This documentary would be more useful if it focussed on the real problem: socialisation for the rich. The state of things cannot be blamed on capitalism. Capitalism does not allow the government or other public entities to subsidize private investment while leaving the debt on the taxpayers of the country. If pure capitalism had been applied, it would have been impossible for foreign investment to enter these countries as quickly as it did since the risk and initial investment would have been too great. They could not have wiped out the local economy with money from government entities. They would have had to progressively compete on an even playing field and there would have been a general increase of the standard of living.

Emenot
Emenot
11 years ago

Who pay for Indonesia's national defense?

Michael
Michael
12 years ago

Excellent communist made documentary. LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!!

Sock_De_Jour
Sock_De_Jour
12 years ago

There are very few people in the world telling the truth. Pilger is one of them, along with a handful of others.

DReadrush
DReadrush
12 years ago

Another good one by Pilger, and worth a look in light of current/ongoing financial and societal disruption and the ever increasing gulf between the haves and have nots (not only in the 3rd world, but within the rich West). The US/British support of Suharto and his genocide and corruption in order to enter and carve up the Indonesian economy for the West is immoral if not criminal. And now look at who benefits from what Obama calls an “outstanding achievement” (WTF?) in Iraq, another illegal military action – Bush and his mates are raking in the dough, and their bud Blair has set up ‘Tony Blair Associates’, an international consultancy handling multi-million-pound contracts in the Middle East. Government and capitalism, hand in hand raping the poor.

The masquerading of the World Bank and IMF as socially responsible organisations hoping to benefit 3rd world countries is also laughable - as is clear when Pilger interviews execs from both (….not our prob if we support a govt intent on genocide, that then pilfers the billions of $). Then Stanley Fischer of the IMF squirms and refuses to accept debt relief is the only way out and forward for many of these countries – as Pilger tries to get across, if a country must dedicate half its finances to debt, how can it ever hope to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor and lift so many from poverty. Fischer maintains in interview that countries must provide better education and health care – sure, as a starter (and maybe salaries and food), but where’s the $$ for any of that if it so much national $ must flow back to the IMF for the foreseeable future? Instead he claims its important that they enter the global market and not run corrupt economies – sadly laughable if one looks at the corruption inherent in the govts they have supported.

Liebewitz
Liebewitz
12 years ago

genuinely I didn't wish to repeat-My considered view was not initially published -so I reiterated-which makes the opinion-look tedious. Once was enough to say -the truth
Thank you

Liebewitz
Liebewitz
12 years ago

well said again John.

Even as an admirer of some remaining elements of british ie(choice BBC progs)
The british couldn't possibly be seen----I mean couldn't possibly be remotely involved- in 'genocide'
as a voice says

""Why -tut tut---look at our record....

look-old chap-John is it?

that business in Ireland--(we have accounted for that in our history books which our large -very large british plebs-I mean our people -sucked-I mean accepted-

ie --the Irish ought to have not relied on potatoes. What do you mean we took all their cattle and livestock and wheat and produce -back to blighty?

Damn shame-'the Irosh' lost 1,000, 000 or two to starvation-and lost 2 more million to travel
opportunities..
but havn't they done well -around the globe. We feel we have had a part to play -in this motivation.

so-about Indonesians---and Palestinians-and Afghans-and Iraqis-chappies---

well ---our press-the Sun; Mirror; Mail --and our comedians-deal with that---
Seems to go down well with the proles-I mean people here!

Look -at last night of the Proms---ah yes!--makes one glad to be British as I lie in the colonies of the West Indies-looking at it on sat TV

addendum -before reactionary abuse-I like the English -the good folk who I met since 1965-2011-who are 'aware'.

Liebewitz
Liebewitz
12 years ago

well said again John. The british couldn't possibly be seen----I mean couldn't possibly be remotely involved- in 'genocide'

Why -tut tut---look at our record....

look-old chap-John is it? that business in Ireland--(we have accounted for that in our history books which our large -very large british plebs-I mean our people -sucked-I mean accepted-

ie --the Irish ought to have not relied on potatoes. What do you mean we took all their cattle and livestock and wheat and produce -back to blighty?

Damn shame-the Irosh lost 1,000, 000 or two to starvation-and lost 2 more million to travel
opportunities..
but havn't they done well -around the globe. We feel we have had a part to play -in this motivation.

so-about Indonesians---and Palestinians-and Afghans-and Iraqis-chappies---

well ---our press-the Sun; Mirror; Mail --and our comedians-deal with that---
Seems to go down well with the proles-I mean people here!

Look -at last night of the Proms---ah yes!--makes one glad to be British as I lie in the colonies of the West Indies-looking at it on sat TV

Liebewitz
Liebewitz
12 years ago

that was 2001. The 'Have -got it-keep it' brigade surely cannot get worse?. 2011 now. Woops!

Dominique Claessens
Dominique Claessens
12 years ago

I totally agree, ABOLISH the IMF and WORLD BANK. Read confessions of an economic hit man for more evidence that this documentary shows the real way these banks work.

and to Rockbrandy, remember remember the 5th of november. just like the movie, lets bring these tyrants down, all together now. Thats what NEEDS to be done if we want change.

rockybrandy
rockybrandy
12 years ago

I could quote and refer you to many other websites to draw you to another cause which does noth ing but show a serious disconnect from the very serious issue that the caring john Pilger has gifted us with here. Shame on those of you who are so self centered that you would do this. You do have an opportunity to make a difference dont you realize? he clearly emphacized Nike and the Gap as being extreme players in the persecution of the Indonesian people . what can you do ? For one - write a letter to these companies and inform them of your new awareness...send them your currently owned Nike or Gap products and inform them you will never purchase again until they inform you of steps they have taken to correct the unfairness to the Indonesian people. Also you can go to your local city hall and purchase a permit to demonstrate in front of their stores. Use placards such as "Nike /Gap support child slavery and sweatshops" / "one who makes 30 pairs of $69 shorts a day gets one dollar per day"/ the opportunities to shame these companies and affect their bottom line is limitless. Do it every Saturday for a month. Even as just one person you will surely have an affect. You will feel good to do this because you will go to bed knowing that you are not a parasite of these downtrodden people by purchasing such products , but one of many who care for them as another mother , another father, whom you understand only wants the best for their children.i encourage you to get out of your comfort bubble and help change this world. It is easier than you think , and ....well.....why wouldnt you care ?

panthera f
panthera f
12 years ago

Don't buy this s***, then they go bankrupt. :-)

rolly
rolly
13 years ago

It's interesting that everyone in the West targets the multi-nationals and regularly let the local gov'ts and contractors of the labour providing countries off the hook. In almost every historical abuse of underprivileged workers that I've seen, locals have led the charge in abuse of their own people.

J
J
13 years ago

we should all go back to the caveman era... all we need is sun, food, shelter to sustain joy and liberty and do the f@#$ we want to do not waste our lives in a worthless job.

we only got 1 life damn it... we should live it to the fullest, not in a f@#$%^& shed like a cockroach

M
M
13 years ago

and yet they market as .. GENUINE ..

don't buy FAKE 'knock off's '

Brainwashed masses ..

Spindrift
Spindrift
13 years ago

America is the trophy for complete global dominance. When freedom dies here there is nowhere left to go. People damn well better smarten up and protect the 2nd amendment because it's the last hope for REAL homeland security, not the hogwash smoke and mirrors the government is feeding us. People get molested and stripped and morally raped to fly on a damn plane and some immigrant still gets explosive material on a plane in Boston yesterday.. what are you shttn me? Wake up people.

ShowingConcern
ShowingConcern
13 years ago

The same thing is happening in America now.

Annie
Annie
13 years ago

I agree that this is not a conspiracy documentary - it's based on truth. For westerners with high standard of living, it is easy to ignore the corruption and suffering in the world because we feel powerless to stop it.

There is a solution! The Venus Project! Watch Zeitgeist Addendum to find out more. CITIZENS OF THE WORLD UNITE! Down with the 0.01% Elite who have NO plans for equality and peace.

420 Vision
420 Vision
13 years ago

This happens because the VAST majority of people really don't give a damn, and will continue to not give a damn until the grocery store shelves lie barren of food. Facing starvation people will quicky become motivated to wake up pay attention and act, but until that time nothing will be done to stop this kind of tyranny, and when actions are finally taken it will be way TO LATE to facilitate change.

The game is rigged folks: the poor man, the middle class man, and rich man are all in the same pathetic sinking boat, completely enslaved, but honestly believe that they are free and have choice. NEWSFLASH : You don't, and this includes you multi-millionaires out there. If you want to join the ELITE club, the true globalists then you will need to be the kind of person that no longer needs money, but only has desires for the power to control the lifes and destinies of the subserviant heard that follows you to their slaughter.

The future is certain, failing some catastrophic natural disaster, our fate is sealed. Serfs will always follow well behind their lords.

@noname
@noname
13 years ago

@noname, you are very ignorant.

gero2006
gero2006
13 years ago

I am filled with admiration for Dita Sari and the anonymous workers who had the courage to appear on this documentary. People like Stanley Fischer of the IMF or that smirking economist from the World Bank (whose name I forget) - words fail me! Have these man lost all connection with humanity?! Why am I asking? These men have lost all connection with humanity. What would bring them back into the human family?

Sidoni
Sidoni
13 years ago

SCREW THE WORLD BANK!! Why should the poor work just to make the RICH GET RICHER??!

REVOLUTION NOW!!

Ricky
Ricky
13 years ago

I'm from the philippines and i've work in a garment factory here. The conditions of workplace and status of factory workers in the Indonesia as shown in the video were no diff. from my country. The factory that I used to work for makes branded products such as Tommy Hilfiger, GAP, American Eagle, Footlocker, Columbia sports, Dockers, Levi's and even Calvin Klein among others. Although these buyers send inspectors regularly to make sure that factories are in compliance with their regts, its very easy to hide "irregularities" within the factory. Buyers reqt for maximum working hours per day is only 10hrs and 6 days/wk. But factory workers usually work 12hrs min per day, and during peak season, 7 days/wk. At the finishing dept they even work 2 days straight at times with only 2-4 hrs sleep. The time record that is given to the buyer inspectors only shows the 10hrs work reqt, the extra hrs in excess of the 10hrs reqt is recorded on a different time sheet and is not shown to inspectors. Only about 20% of factory workers are regular employees and 80% are casual or temporary employees. Regular workers are paid minimum salary imposed by the govt plus other legal benefits. Casual employees recd only 75% of the minimum salary with no other benefits. Salary records of regular employees are the one that is given to inspectors while salary records of casual employees are kept. Casual employees are not allowed to go to work when inspectors are in factory to avoid being interviewed. Regular employees were "properly oriented" how to answer questions from inspectors.