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constitutionalism and popular sovereignty", in favour of a system ensure that those who object to David Rockefeller's methods and that "posits 'interests' (whether NGOs or businesses) as legitimate objectives remain marginalised and easily ridiculed. Even though actors along with popularly elected governments" (Bolton).” at exclusive gatherings the power-elite will continue to give thanks Although some NGOs are adamantly opposed to David's pro- to David Rockefeller for his unstinting service in promoting market and pro-free trade agenda, his overall strategy appears to "international cooperation", the requirements of the existing be to co-opt, compromise and ultimately control as many of the political order demand that the significance of these celebrations NGOs as possible, utilising them as a vital third force both for be denied. creating and, in some cases, managing the emerging structure of As for the self-described "proud internationalist", the globalisa- global governance. As for those NGOs that cannot be tion process he has helped unleash is proving unstoppable, if only deradicalised and accommodated, and insist on pursuing more because relatively few political leaders are willing to challenge revolutionary anti-capitalist agendas and methods, they have been the "consensus". deprived of funding and left to the mercy of state oppression.” David now has the luxury of promoting solutions to the Clearly, the NGOs have their uses, problems he helped cause, as he did but David will not tolerate the anti- in December 2001 in his role as corporate rhetoric actually becoming President of the Global policy—especially if it threatens his j ; H Philanthropists Circle. Addressing a own goals. In Memoirs, David admits forum at the University of Guanajuato without any trace of irony in Mexico, David stated that "One World", Ready or Not... . eA globalisation had created In Memoirs, David yimits without to his goal of building "unacceptable" levels of poverty the any trace of irony to his goal of "a more integrated global world over. "Free trade," he said, building "a more integrated global rr . "has helped generate wealth, but it political and economic structure political and economic has not helped poor people who still one world". Considering the tangi- structure—one world". find themselves in tough situations." ble evidence of David's New World True to his devotion to globalism, the Order agenda, much of it from his plutocrat acknowledged the work of own public statements and writings, "social organizations" in improving it would be churlish to dismiss as conditions for the world's "right-wing nuts" or proponents of "wacky conspiracy theories" disadvantaged, before recommending that both businesses and those who have long been suspicious of the plutocrat's activities. governments become more active in preventing people from But what is particularly striking about David's New World falling into the "abyss of extreme poverty".” Order vision is that, despite his sometimes flowery rhetoric about Regrettably, such hypocrisies are typical of the plutocracy... democracy, he has never engaged the voting public on his agenda. Instead, he has used his power and influence to convince, cajole Continued next issue... and even coerce political leaders and government officials into Author's Note: supporting policies for which ordinary voters have never asked. Part Five will continue to examine David Rockefeller's inter- In a working democracy, the exercise of such unelected power _ nationalist vision, focusing on his most controversial creation: should be a serious matter. Publicly acceptable attitudes, however, _ the Trilateral Commission. In Memoirs, David admits without any trace of irony to his goal of building "a more integrated global political and economic structure—one world". Author's Note: Part Five will continue to examine David Rockefeller's inter- nationalist vision, focusing on his most controversial creation: the Trilateral Commission. 55. See Robert Pastor, Toward a North 61. Rockefeller, "America After Downsizing", | Winter 1995, p. 1. American Community, Institute for Vital Speeches of the Day, March 15, 1985, p. 71. David Rockefeller, quoted in Buzz International Economics, 2002; and Pastor, 40. Hargrove, "Corporate Success, Social Failure, "Become a Resident of North America", 62. Rockefeller, Memoirs, p. 406 (emphasis Corporate Credibility", Context Newsletter, Emory Report, February 4, 2002. added). March 15, 1998. 56. Carla Hills et al., Memoirs: The 63. Commission on Global Governance, Our 72. Goldmark and Rockefeller, quoted in "Call Rockefeller Family in International Affairs, Global Neighbourhood: The Report of the for US Philanthropies To Address Global Panel discussion on David Rockefeller's new Commission on Global Governance, Oxford Problems", San Francisco Chronicle, October book at the School of Advanced International University Press, 1995, pp. 2-3. 31, 1989. Studies, Johns Hopkins University, October 31, 64. David Rockefeller, quoted in Business 73. For an examination of this underreported 2002. Council for the United Nations Briefing, role of NGOs, see David Davenport, "The New 57. David Rockefeller, "New Trends In The Winter 1995, p. 1. Diplomacy", Policy Review, December Financial Markets", Vital Speeches of the Day, 65. "A Message from David Rockefeller", For — 2002—January 2003, and John R. Bolton, February 15, 1964, p. 268. A Better World: An Exhibition of Posters from “Should We Take Global Governance 58. "Rockefeller's prescription for world the United Nations, 1945 to the Present, Seriously?", Chicago Journal of International growth", Australian Financial Review, December 18, 2000, at http://www.un.org. Law, Fall 2000. Bolton is now Under November 23, 1978, p. 2; and Committee for 66. Rockefeller, Memoirs, p. 406. Secretary of State for Arms Control and Economic Development of Australia, David 67. David Rockefeller, "Why We Need the International Security in the Bush Rockefeller in Australia, CEDA, 1979, pp. 21, IMF", Wail Street Journal, May 1, 1998. Administration. 25. 68. Rockefeller, "America After Downsizing", 74, Susan George, "Democracy at the 59. David Rockefeller, "The Chief Executive p. 42. Barricades", Le Monde Diplomatique, August in the Year 2000", Vital Speeches of the Day, 69. David Rockefeller, "Looking for New 2001. January 1, 1980, pp. 163-164. Leadership", Newsweek, February 1, 1999, p. 75. Rockefeller, quoted in "Rockefeller: glob- 60. Rockefeller, "Giving: America's Greatest 41 (emphasis added). alization has increased world poverty", National Resource", Vital Speeches of the Day, 70. David Rockefeller, quoted in Business TheNewsMexico.com, December 3, 2001, March 15, 1985, p. 329. Council for the United Nations Briefing, http://www.thenewsmexico.com. NEXUS = 29 Continued next issue... OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2003 www.nexusmagazine.com