Investigative journalist charts how corporate greed has destroyed democracy | Matt Kennard interview

Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist and co-author of Silent Coup: How Corporations Overthrew Democracy with Claire Provost.
He swung by JOE Towers to discuss how supermassive corporations have taken up the mantle of colonialism and in doing so have worked to undermine democracy and sovereignty across the globe.
Camera & Mix: Kesia Evans
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[@PoliticsJOE]

Subscribe to the Pubcast now or else linktr.ee/pubcast

[@deborahroblay4212]

Invest in a fucking microphone. It sounds like I'm listening to a conversation at the other end of the house.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

KZbin channel KEITH WOODS did a deep dive into George Soros.

[@randyosborne3971]

Congress is for sale. On the take. And they wouldn't have it any other way. They mandate the Federal Reserve, Blackrock, Vanguard and State Street. Congress is crony. Friends to everyone for the money (donor monies, campaign contributions). Capitalism was never crony. They are always in the state of fierce competiveness. Congress is the crux of the problem.

[@krish2nasa]

" As a psychopathic creature, the corporation can neither recognize nor act upon moral reasons to refrain from harming others.“ - Joel Bakan.

[@vhawk1951kl]

Why bring religion or what you call "moral reasons" into it? If only you had some idea what you mean by " moral", but you don't, do you? I can help you; moral means touching on the reactions of the emotional function, likes and dislikes, therefor moral is relative subjective and temporary. Why are you modernists, followers of that queer religion modernism s sanctimonious and obsessed with sin? I think it can only be because its parent religion socialism is so intensely moralistic and thus obsessed with sin -but of course only *other people's* sin for thou art as holy as it is possible to get are you not titch? Think how boring your insignificant little existence would be without us sinners to castigate-it would be nothing but you and your priests like religious Joe all sitting around agreeing how good things are good and bad things are bad and how wicked we sinners are, but your obsession with religion is a young being's obsession and you will grow out of it.

[@victorialeif9266]

Watched the documentary… I haven’t been the same since. It’s kind of like Darwin’s theory of evolution!

[@ivandafoe5451]

@@victorialeif9266 It's nothing like Darwin's (misunderstood) theory.

[@Phariseehunter]

The opposite view is Enlightenment. Suffering austerity ascetics to REALise, that's something that distracted and rather pampered elitist egos could never find, until they die that is.

[@vhawk1951kl]

@@Phariseehunter There has been no austerity

[@ennisdodd1888]

The nail in the coffin in the U.S. was Citizens United when corporations became people.

[@dustin628]

Corporations "became" people a really really long time ago, citizens united was just a consequence of that. A terrible consequence. One we are still just feeling the effects of.

[@coolworx]

Bill Clinton did more for the oligarchs than any Republican could have ever dreamed... Glass Stegal repealed, NAFTA passed, gutting social safety nets etc. etc.

[@randyosborne3971]

Congress is for sale. On the take. And they wouldn't have it any other way. They mandate the Federal Reserve, Blackrock, Vanguard and State Street. Congress is crony. Friends to everyone for the money (donor monies, campaign contributions). Capitalism was never crony. They are always in the state of fierce competiveness. Congress is the crux of the problem.

[@prismbrandingrealestatebra6301]

Why are these political action groups always labeling themselves the exact opposite of what they are: "Citizens United" ?? It makes it sound as if citizens got together and formed it. It was formed by executives and law firms.

[@jmitterii2]

Which is so extremely absurd. A corporation is an organization that thru the good graces of the people is given many extra freebies such as limited liability of its primary owner or owners; including various property rights again given by the good graces of the people in society. Instead, the oligarchs want their money funnel to have a second mouth piece to reign supreme as worse if not worse than feudal lords.

[@risin4949]

A truly terrifying state of affairs. Back in the mid-1980s I was studying industrial relations. We learned then to be very aware of the growing power of multinationals. Forty years later the nightmare has become a reality.

[@Quasime42]

Beware the military industrial complex

[@mwfmtnman]

Yep. Ayn Rand libertarian hellscape. The new dark ages/monarchies

[@coolioso808]

Capitalism doesn't have morals, it has market 'logic' and market logic is out-dated, based in scarcity, but at the same time demanding infinite growth. Incompatible with nature. Incompatible with healthy society. System change has bee needed for a long time, but people haven't really known where to look. Mainstream media never talks about it. Never criticizes capitalism so people have to find out themselves. There are sources, there are options. Knowing is half the battle. Take a look at the One Small Town Contributionism model, and tell me, honestly, why not give it a try?

[@Grudgie]

​@@coolioso808guess who in the pockets of the multinationals... Main stream media is controlled and will never mention this, their job is to keep the illusion until the social credit system is in place.

[@AniishAu]

In a mad world, I need selfless heroes like Matt to remind me constantly: I am not mad.

[@johncoons1666]

Talk is cheap and nothing will be done

[@vebdaklu]

​@@johncoons1666Certainly not with your attitude! We don't need defeatism, we need action!

[@oralia5026]

That is basically “organised crime”

[@musopaul5407]

One of the best critiques of modern geopolitics I have ever heard. Absolutely superb! This guy has nailed the whole thing. I'm surprised he's still alive. No-one talks about this stuff. I remember a couple of times trying to get onto BBC call-ins to talk about the ISDS tribunals that were going to be a part of TTIP, at the time, the largest "free" trade agreement ever negotiated. Needless to say, I never made it on air. Ironically, it was Trump who vetoed it and saved us from this corporate strait-jacket. And of course, Kennard is absolutely right that the conditions that were imposed on developing countries are now coming here and to the US and Europe. People blamed the EU for how non-responsive the UK government is, but it's because it is bought and paid for by banks and corporations. The market reaction to Truss provided a rare glimpse into just how much of a myth "sovereignty" really is these days. Read Matt Kennard's book! If you give a damn about your democracy, it's essential reading!

[@ConstructiveMinds100]

Fully agree with what you written but the word DEMOCRACY makes me angry. It just proves how naive you are

[@musopaul5407]

@@ConstructiveMinds100 We may have some common ground here, but if you just call me "naive" and stomp off without interrogating what I mean by "democracy", we're just perpetuating the status quo of divide and conquer.

[@je6874]

@@ConstructiveMinds100what an intelligent well thought out response lol

[@ConstructiveMinds100]

@@musopaul5407 So how about you elaborate about the democracy. For me in a current state of democracy only serves the corporate world as most people are idiots. If you like George Carlin we are roughly on the same page than. Contrary to you the next reply is epitome of people I have just mentioned.

[@musopaul5407]

@@ConstructiveMinds100 I love George Carlin, one of the greatest political scientists of the era! I know what you mean and I agree. I've just finished two books about the assault on democracy by capitalism; Matt Kennard's Silent Coup and Crack Up Capitalism by Quinn Slobodian. Both of them deal in some detail with the current attacks on democracy that are taking place by corporate and financial interests. I have said what you wrote for many years; we don't live in a democracy, and that's true. Governments have always served the interests of the wealthy rather than their citizens and democracy is a kind of parlour game to keep the masses in line. And, as you say, many people don't think that clearly about politics, especially in large population groups, and so are easily conned into voting against their own interests. BUT... With all its flaws, it's a lot better than what I and others believe is coming down the line. If the tech barons, the bankers and the other mega-corporations have their way, take a look at Dubai; that's what our future looks like. Me, I'd rather have some kind of representative democracy than that any day. And actually, I would argue that Social Democratic governments since WWII in Europe (and actually post-New Deal America) have presided over some of the freest, most equal and socially mobile societies the world has ever seen, and if you know your history, I'm sure you'll agree that's really something! Periodic representative democracy is far from perfect, but I believe it's taken humanity further towards freedom and balance than any other system.

[@marionreynolds7080]

John Ralston Saul identified this takeover and described it as a Corporate Coup d’etat thirty years ago. Chris Hedges has referred to this subject regularly over the last 20 years and references John Ralston Saul. Thank you Matt for writing a book about it.

[@78donjay]

What a great interview. Protect Matt Kennard at all costs.

[@tylerdurden4289]

Ridiculous comment. See it all the time and it gets more and more tiresome every hundred times I see it.

[@Brazen1234]

free tate.

[@adamsmith7058]

@@Brazen1234 Andrew Tate is, by his own admission, a pimp and a panderer. An exploiter by any other name. He follows the same twisted ideology of the corporate elites outlined here. The only reason he's facing legal problems is because he's small time, not because he makes the odd, (occasionally correct), observation about world politics. Even on the subject of anti sytem or populist politics, that he claims to be aligned with, he's often wrong . I just watched a video where he extolled the virtues of the British Empire and the Queen. These are not good positions. The guy 's a dope.

[@sabre22b]

Might be his last work.

[@diskopartizan0850]

​@@tylerdurden4289same, absolutely sick of seeing it.

[@Web3Future333]

THIS is the most important topic EVERYONE EVERYWHERE should be talking about!! Were heading towards late stage capitalist dystopia!!

[@danielcalabrese5769]

It's fucking crazy to hear this stuff and it is scary to hear that the West is going to end up like the 3rd world countries, I think being 43yrs means that I won't feel the impact of what's to come but my 19yr old son probably will and my eventual grandchildren definitely will. It's horrible and I can see a future where there is war all throughout the west.

[@daviddobarganes9115]

"Heading"

[@taniayager3361]

No we don't need to keep talking about this as the time for talking is over! We now need to take action against these evil people. This is being discussed on all alternative sites. We are beating our heads against the wall talking and debating. Joining the groups gathering worldwide to fight these evil people now is the only way. We cannot keep accepting corrupt govts, corrupt courts and greedy corporations dictating to us! Even if it means massive decentralisation!

[@vhawk1951kl]

Calm down dear, those that abuse capital letters emphasise nothing but the hysteria of the abuser. Clearly you queer religion is driving you to insanity. There is no such thing as capitalism any more than there is any such thing as foxes-eat-rabbits_ism, or when -it-rains-the-pavements-get-wet_ism.

[@Justinian125]

This isn’t capitalism. This mercantilism reborn. Marxism is not the answer and none of Marx’s prophecies will come true.

[@davidmcculloch8490]

Such a strange upside-down world, where corporations are more powerful than governments. While financialisation makes workers in the real economy poorer, with money markets becoming a legalised casino. And guess who pays for their mistakes?

[@kevanbodsworth9868]

It has been obviouse at least siince Reagan ,,, In the US the bill Citizens United sealed any escape rout ....Why US people are not permanently outraged about this I do not know ,In Europe wealth bought up most media to keep the populations in line, In Asia it is bringing increases in living standards for many at this time,

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately both Left and Right have embraced open borders Globalisation = rule by international finance and have no solutions. We let international finance capitalism move our manufacturing base to China and import millions of cheap workers. Capitalism will never invest in training or increase pay and conditions if it can just fly in labour.

[@kelly89420]

Well said!

[@kristiblack4789]

Baphomet Bingo Baby! And Wars are the Greatest RICO Rackets on the planet! Much like how the British Monarchy used the East India Company to force Opium Trade Wars on countries who rightfully didn't want their BS "Trade" product to destroy their own countries and communities!

[@user-ox2mz8ds7g]

There not mistakes. They are a financial smash and grab, and the politicians are too dim or corrupt to regulate them

[@_caseyjames]

We're all getting really bored with this corporate bland world right? Beyond bored of advertisements, 'brands' and all that crap. We need to take the power back

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunate both Left and Right have embraced open borders Globalisation = rule by international finance. And have no solutions. We let international finance capitalism move our manufacturing base to China and import millions of cheap workers. Capitalism will never invest in training or increase pay and conditions if it can just fly in labour. The Left understood this back in the day, even Bernie Sanders was anti immigration

[@vhawk1951kl]

Quite the contrary in fact, you would be bored to death with no sinners to castigate, and that is why you followers of that queer religion modernism re so obsessed with sin; life would be pointless for you without us sinners to castigate,and than whom you can be holier.

[@angryherbalgerbil]

All you can do is "be in the city, not of the city". Exercise what awareness you can. What sovereignty you can. But ask yourself : how can you exercise sovereignty from within a system that has informed your language, your understanding, your thoughts and opinions? Even the concept of power and power struggles feeds back into the social divisions and becomes co-opted by the system to sensationalise and monetise news and to whip up consent from the asleep for "more security". "Just stop oil!"... "Get out of the road I'm going to work!" see how it goes? Even this youtube video still will have you take a side, become angry, maybe even start a civil war... And the deaths feed into the NWO agenda of "kill the lazy eaters Great Reset". There is no way out of the Matrix. Even the illusion of being the savior, the hero, it's still part of the plan, anticipated. The world can only ever move forwards through the continual extremes. How are you going to take down google for example whilst using a platform they own to declare that you're "taking power back"? Welcome to realising how depressing it really is. So grab yourself a Lidl's chocolate pastry, have a Starbucks coffee, sink a German beer that you've nwver heard of and watch the circus of it all. You can still choose what you comply with in the UK. And even human laws can be rejected if they go against your sovereign soul and ethics, you might pay dearly for it by corrupt human justice systems, but better to be free or die trying. That's where real power resides, standing in the face of tyranny and calmly and consistently saying "no".

[@alexluthiger731]

and a school and university reformation. They dumb themselves down into their own proper and privat hell! 🍷🗿

[@vhawk1951kl]

"We being you and which immediate interlocutor titch?Impotent little religious fanatics like you titch do nothing but whine about sin. There *is* no we titch, you are strictly on your own

[@monkeytrousers6180]

Matts book dispels any kind of illusion that people have about us living in a democratic country.. All political punditry is now pretty much the rearranging of deckchairs.

[@page8301]

George Carlin already told people that 20 years ago. "They own you."

[@patricialongo5870]

It's okay. If you'd wanted something different you'd vote red and stop gaslighting the leftists. I won't hold my breath.

[@vhawk1951kl]

What is a "democratic" country, and why might anyone want to live in a " democratic country"?

[@page8301]

@@vhawk1951kl A democratic country is a country where the political and societal power lies with all of the people involved in the society equally, irrespective of the colour of their skin, sex, gender, income, disability, etc. Right now many democracies have become an utter farce and our politicians have sold us out to big corporate business and continue to dance on big industrialists marionette threads. No country epitomizes this more than the US of A which is only one party away from Chinese one party rule and it is not for the lack of trying as we have seen January 6th.

[@thunderpooch]

It doesn't have to occur. It only happens when people are media illiterate and fall for corporate propaganda. Then again, it's asking too much of the average person. People in America are flooded with pro-corporate propaganda. They're in an ocean of it and don't even realize it.

[@catherinemartin6258]

Corporations really piss me off 😡

[@evolassunglasses4673]

If the nation state doesn't control international finance capitalism, international finance capitalism will control the nation state. Open borders Globalisation is destroying the West. We have let our manufacturing and industrial base go to China. Plus, let capitalism import millions of cheap workers. Capitalism will never invest in training or increase pay and conditions if it can just fly in labour. It's a race to the bottom.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Soros is a classic example of the problem

[@funkimunky1]

Corporations are just financial investment vehicles for the wealthy.

[@angryherbalgerbil]

"Have you bagged all your shopping today?" "If you see something say it. See it. Say it. Sorted!" "In the interest of your safety, all customers are reminded that CCTV surveillance is in operation"

[@alexluthiger731]

Corporations turned into babylonian churches, with the expectable development of schizophrenia and paranoia. International madness. 🤑

[@keithwallace8474]

Matt is a legend, superb investigative journalist. Breaks sh*t down even a layman can understand the obscure structures the vampire corps use to fillet nations and citizens

[@allanmckeown8417]

A Morrocan colleague of mine told me this 20 years ago, it never occurred to me before that that corporations were more powerful than nation states, and the Tories are doing it here in the U.K.

[@marksiddall379]

Corps have already taken over Labour, it’s the only reason they will be allowed to win.

[@jabbadabbajew6035]

Yep, we are copying America even though we can see it doesn’t work.

[@clivet3252]

Let's not make it about the Tories when Labour were just as bad, if not worse.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

To anyone who's been paying attention the rot started in 1973 with the coup in Chille.

[@jabbadabbajew6035]

@@therealrobertbirchall yep, when the CIA trained Pinochet’s female leaders to train dogs so they would rape women. Then used it as a method of torture. The birth of Neo liberalism.

[@Sa-hi5nq]

Thank you very much for talking simply about so much we know is going on and can appreciate why Mick Lynch and his colleagues have to fight their corner on behalf of not only the workers, but for most of the country.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately so much of the Left has embraced open borders Globalisation ( rule by international finance ) and has no solutions.

[@clivet3252]

What they're doing is political. Why aren't retail workers going on strike?

[@MrRailjunkie]

@@clivet3252 Standing up for workers rights should not be political but I guess seeing as it's the left doing it is political.

[@kkgauthier]

@@clivet3252 Because they are constantly told that they aren't worth anything. If there were a massive retail strike, everyone would feel it, but if all the corporate headquarters closed up and went home, no one would notice.

[@Quasime42]

​@@clivet3252because no one has told them they can. But people have told them "they are easy to replace" and that "retail via a bricks and mortar store is a dieing trade so they should feel lucky to have work" People strike and rebel when they think they can win, or when they have nothing to loose. Just wait... Another few years and the "proud to be working class " drums will start beating again. Ie anyone who dissents and says "hang on the people of this country are being taken for a ride" will be turned on as trouble makers who should know thier place and not cause trouble for working (or not working) families.

[@1967mikebcn]

Heard Matt on Novara Media a few days ago. Glad he’s doing the rounds with such an important message.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately both Left and Right have embraced open borders Globalisation = rule by international finance capitalism and have no solutions. We let international finance move our manufacturing base to China and import millions of cheap workers. Capitalism will never invest in training or increase pay and conditions if it can just fly in labour. Back in the day the Left understood this, even Bernie Sanders was anti immigration.

[@nmk5003]

I find this position way too simplistic, I think the better analysis would be interviewing Roberto Unger on his book the Knowledge Economy.

[@clivesmith9377]

@@nmk5003 Have you read Matt's book yet?

[@clivesmith9377]

Did you buy Matt's book yet?

[@Nick-kb6jd]

@@nmk5003 Yuo have to get the message across, not everyone has deep knowledge. Many will judge him simplistic because of his accent I'm sure, it's Britain.

[@woodybalfour8213]

People before profit...The system is stacked...Thanks for your valuable work and perspectives.

[@timothyharris4708]

I should add that I have ordered Mark Kennard's book on the strength of this interview, since I have long been worried about the power large corporations wield, but have never known exactly how they wield it

[@jakobthelibrarycard6261]

Mark Kennard? You might have ordered the wrong book.

[@timothyharris4708]

@@jakobthelibrarycard6261 Well, come on, librarycard, what's the book I should be ordering then: 'Corporate Greed: How it will Save the World', by F.U. Tufton?

[@Burty117]

@@timothyharris4708 I think they were pointing out that you got his first name wrong, Matt, not Mark ;)

[@timothyharris4708]

@@Burty117 Oh, dear! Many apologies to Jacob! And thank you, Chris, for pointing the mistake(s) out.

[@MH3GL]

I'm not so much concerned about how the corporations are stealing our democracy (have stolen), but more about what we need to do to undermine what they are doing.

[@themsmloveswar3985]

"Fascism is the merger of state and corporate power" Benito Mussolini, the founder of Fascism.

[@schrodingerskatze2162]

Yep. Fascism is a reaction. Capitalism's crisis are inherent, they will always happen. As a result of that, the working class - the vast majority who rely on labour to live - feel the pressured of higher prices and lower life quality. Once that happens, workers want to organize against the State. Fascism comes up as a distraction that redirects the masses against false enemies and towards false solutions. It comes up as a protection of Capitalism. The solution ? The workers need organize, build autonomous power, take over the State and implement a mode of production in which the workers have democratic power at their workplaces and districts. Some good policies: Full-employment, universal housing, universal healthcare, universal high quality education, decentralized planned economy, workplace democracy, neighborhood democratic management Has it happened ? Yes. But Americans have been fed lies about the countries that tried it. The U.S. spent billions in order to win against the Worker Majority. In order to stop Real Democracy from taking place. Political Democracy DOES NOT EXIST without Economic Democracy.

[@strongfp]

No lol... that was his modern take. Fascism has been around since Romes inception.

[@dogrudiyosun]

@@strongfpits like saying wheel already existed so tyre is nothing new. L2p

[@strongfp]

@@dogrudiyosun not quite... the concept of the wheel is rather universal, it's the conditional utility that matters - as we have seen in ancient South American civilizations, toys with wheels yet practical use non existing - fascism is a concept that did not exist until a empire like Rome existed, a state where a clear distinction between people was set in a series of laws and orders, a "classed" society, where the upper echelons of the civilization create, and at the same time - coincidentally - solve a problem and sell it to the comfortable middle classes, who then drag the working class into the fray ... Fascism is when state - the powers that be - collaboratively, seize the means of production, and alienate the consumer base who then turn on the working class to the point of no return... thats called class conflict. To fight fascism you need class war.

[@dogrudiyosun]

@@strongfp it’s called oligarchy, not fascism.

[@patcampton7163]

This needs to be more widely known.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately so much of the Left has embraced open borders Globalisation ( rule by international finance )and has no solutions. Back in the day the Left understood this, even Bernie Sanders was anti immigration.

[@angryherbalgerbil]

Yup... Many of us have been making it more widely known for decades. We get labelled as "conspiracy theorists"... When infact we're "conspiracy observationists". Share and join the exasperated ranks of us as the prison herd return to their wage servitude, cry for more surveillance, inject Rna eugenics vaccines, and eat their McDonalds, sing their pop songs, and argue their political team's talking points they were told to think. You can try and make it more well known, but many just want to live their lives in oblivious ignorance and illusions of safety.

[@Synathidy]

It's obvious enough to anyone who's been an adult for a few years.

[@Andy.Smurphy]

Totally agree with the discussion, i have been trying to have these conversations with friends and colleagues for more than 20 years and all i get is raised eyebrows as they chat over coffee about the latest plane accident or celebrity story!!!, how do we get enough people to understand what is coming ... neo-feudalism,

[@angryherbalgerbil]

You can't. That's the real horror of it all once you see it. I thought after the "pandemic" and the lockdowns that surely something that fraught with lies, inconsistencies, and scientism would have people see it, surely people losing jobs, being told a virus can't get you in you sit down, that would be enough... But what happened? Some large protests, but everyone just went back to the minimum wage jobs, back to watching televisions, back to the political polarisations... Asleep, believing they are in a democracy, in a nation that has their health and interests front and centre... So hopelessly inured that they will die to defend their prison.

[@szymonbaranowski8184]

You can change things only by getting out of it and giving others example with own life. People never listen if they don't see a better standard that they will be envious of. They don't have imagination letting them get out of own interpretation of reality, which was poured into them subconsciously by continuous conditioning so that they believe they chose it themselves

[@quakers200]

Corporations have legal responsibility to the stockholders but no legal responsibility to either the employees or the customers.

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

We need to change the laws about that. It’s trivially easy to do but it doesn’t occur to anyone.

[@pinnaclepottery635]

One of the most informative and concise explanation of how corporations have taken over.

[@RojaJaneman]

That’s colonization 2.0. D rot has reached their own doorsteps, before it was d poor/pagan nations for centuries. Now they’re cannibalizing themselves. Cycle of karma.

[@AniishAu]

How are people so selfless to research, carry, memorize and disseminate such a heavy burden. I am shocked, enthralled and disgusted, but I can only watch half because I feel like the burden is too much. 💜

[@halimaalhiane9284]

I agree 100%

[@bpalpha]

Exactly what Smedley Butler warned us about almost a hundred years ago. 😖

[@CrankyHermit]

Yes, and even Woodrow Wilson before him, though Wilson was in fact a willing globalist muppet.

[@azalith8645]

Excellent. Thank you for this

[@dominicestebanrice7460]

Astonishing to watch this the day after Rishi Sunak debased himself in that AI interview with Musk. A head of state acting like a late-night TV host allowing his 'guest' to put his best foot forward. In the comments section on a piece about the travesty in the Guardian, I heard for the first time the term "concierge class" being applied to politicians; I had no idea what it meant but the OP explained it and now this makes it all frighteningly real. Elected politicians are officially courtesans and concierges for billionaires.

[@lawrencebolt3540]

All of this is not surprising to those who live in "third world countries", we've been screaming this for decades. It's those in the west who for some reason find this shocking.

[@angryherbalgerbil]

That's the difference of being born inside the prison, and on the outside edges of where it's encroaching. Some of us have been saying this from within the prison. But a prison that people can't see, smell, hear, touch, or taste is one that's hard to convince them of... Especially if they have big screen TVs, a minimum wage, and food readily available. Even an uprising or contest to the agenda of global deep state just becomes co-opted by it and used to stir up more division between the inmates. Many think that democracy was only eroded recently... The real truth is that democracy never existed in the first place, it was always a smokescreen, a puppet show and a means by which to keep everyone arguing against each other, and arguing for more authority at the same time.

[@kkgauthier]

That "some reason" is massive doses of constant propaganda.

[@LordWaterBottle]

It's not only the constant propaganda, but also the fact that large portions of the benefits made it to the middle classes that existed in the west that helped us in the west to ignore the downsides to corporatism. We're now at a point where the middle classes are disappearing in the west, so we are starting to care again. It's really unfortunate that we could not care for the suffering of others before we began to suffer ourselves.

[@lawrencebolt3540]

@@LordWaterBottle wow, beautifully said. I didn't think people this wise existed on KZbin.

[@staceystrukel1917]

Really? People in third world countries are more aware? Then why aren’t they revolting? I think there is just as many dumb asses there as everywhere else.

[@user-ec6xm3fl7d]

Matt Kennard finally another actual journalist to follow really informative

[@eveb.6568]

Excellent interview, CRAZY important subject

[@sarahhale-pearson533]

Thank you for pointing out the utter dishonesty and hypocrisy of the guardian… it has become sickeningly captured by vested interests and ideological agendas.

[@adamsmith7058]

They were never that good. Maybe it's for the better that their true nature is now more readily apparent.

[@davidpeppers551]

People say the system is rigged. When you show them the system us rigged, they can't believe it?

[@romanmerker5257]

Yes, this glorious time of democracy...exactly when did we have it?

[@fuckamericanidiot]

There are degrees. We will never have TOTAL democracy, because that's not in its nature. But at the moment it's very corrupt, maybe more than ever.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Liberal Democracy = rule by international finance and the Merchant class

[@KatieScarlett2353]

Can't say - but I do know that the rate of losing it has accelerated since 1979.

[@elfspicer]

Matt Kennard, wow this man has done is homework!

[@ianharding3044]

Really informative article.

[@seanfaherty]

not too many people have noticed this. Many Corporations hold more power than governments

[@1inchPunchBowl]

Its because they lit are required to follow a different set of laws than ordinary citizens. Loopholes have been found & exploited. They have certain legal protections against sovereign govs enacting policies that can harm them.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately both Left and Right have embraced open borders Globalisation = rule by international finance Mass immigration + de-industrialing

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Trump does. He was the anti open borders Globalisation ( rule by international finance capitalism ) candidate.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Soros is a classic example of the problem

[@jakobthelibrarycard6261]

@@evolassunglasses4673 Oh the sweet irony though. You think that orange muppet gives a flying fig about anybody apart from himself? Trump is anti EVERYTHING apart from his own reflection and his daughter. Yesterdays man.

[@4angayoga]

Well done! Ive rarely heard such a comprehensive outline of the global proble of corporate takeover in the past and absolute dominance now and in the foreseeable future.

[@bearsbreeches]

Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) or investment court system (ICS) is a system through which countries can be sued by foreign investors for certain state actions

[@y.g.1313]

Very good journalist-investigator.

[@timothyharris4708]

I wonder whether you & Mark Kennard might discuss how the weakening of the powers of governments as a result of the rise of corporate power has led to the political chaos we see in the USA & the UK as well as elsewhere.

[@5400bowen]

Uh, they spent at least 20 minutes on that.

[@funkimunky1]

Stopping lobbying and revolving door jobs would stop this after a while.

[@royfearn4345]

Lobbying must be stopped right now. It is undemocratic and contrary to the interests of the population.

[@orianna1220]

I have recently given up on life because im 30 and so self aware of how shit is around me. I build navy ships best builder on the east and west coast. Worked my ass off and in that work ethic forging process i climbed hights that i didn't think was possible and like a chain reaction life flowered for a bit. But after years of work and so many good jobs and amazing works i asked for a raise. These companies wont budge even if they know mathematical, that when i hit the production floor shit gets done quickly and in the manor instructed. After all that I was let go 3 weeks before Christmas. No 2 weeks notice just grab your tools and security will escort you out. Like dawg i worked my soul off and no one cared. I cant describe it harder its like a steel ball in my chest and it was all for not. So now im essentially doing what the chinese youth are doing "lying flat". I cant climb off hard work in this system thats evidently clear. I dont have millions to chill on but i cant go back to work to know my life is just a 8 hour block of work with commute time and 4 hours of free time, cut down by eating, working out, reading and its just to much. These corporations cry for hard workers and when given one rhey milk the production and when work is slow your let go with no fucks given. Fuck the system

[@lilylacosse1649]

Start a company. Bet on yourself. You have real skills unlike the corporate jackasses who only know how to twist ugly words and numbers. They ain’t got shit.

[@kylebrady3651]

Life’s a bitch then u die that’s why a stay high😂.

[@matthewexline6589]

Perhaps the best video I've ever seen on youtube.

[@StressRUs]

Thank you, both, for the correct analysis, as far as you go.

[@tdreha2393]

“If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.”

[@timothyharris4708]

This is wonderful, and absolutely depressing.

[@TheStumish]

I'll need to listen to this again later, deserves full attention

[@Harkness197]

What an amazing video! Genuinely opened my eyes!!

[@skippy6462]

20 thousand views when 20 million needs to watch it.

[@utxex97]

There is an ideology - unbridled greed by those who already have waaaayyyy more than a reasonable person would ever need.

[@vhawk1951kl]

You are in the land of sin and thus religion titch; you'll be bleating about that religious mumbo jumbo morality or ethic next. Clearly religion -and your queer religion in particular, stupefies the reason and turns its followers into bullies or fascists that seek to impose their religion on others. You are saying that what you call greed is sinful. Why are you religious fanatics so obsessed with sin?You be bleating about that religious mumbo jumbo tat some religious loons call morality or ethic next. It is nobody's -certainly none of your, business how much anyone needs. It is the hallmark of the bully or fascist that he pokes his nose in to other people's business and seeks to impose his religion/morality-they are one and the same thing, on others. It is moot whether or not the champagne socialist Lynch "needs" £120,00 a year and to live in a house worth over a millionpounds, and more to the point it is none of your or mine business, but he is clearly a religious fanatic and perhaps religious fanatics need more than others.

[@flovv4580]

'When Corporations Rule the World' by David Korten. (Published: 1995)

[@1life_Only]

Corporate greed is not an utopian concept. We the people have created this monster that will destroy our existence.

[@adamsmith7058]

The majority of people have little knowledege of how systems of finance or corporate power work or operate. This is a sytem presided over by a tiny elite who mostly operate in secret. We, "the people", have very little to do with it.

[@ivandafoe5451]

For the greedy it certainly is...one that certain self-serving people have...not all of us.

[@vhawk1951kl]

Sadly nothing seems to have destroyed your existence, nor silenced your constant whining and religious obsession with sin.

[@Jimi_Lee]

I was never consulted on the matter.

[@staceystrukel1917]

Exactly! Our fault.I disagree that it will destroy us. Because of the internet the populations are slowly becoming the wiser.

[@theo610]

Love this ❤

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Unfortunately so much of the Left has embraced open borders Globalisation ( rule by international finance ) and have no solutions. Back in the day the Left understood this, even Bernie Sanders was anti immigration.

[@merbst]

The fruits of the Neoliberal ideology's prioritization of private property rights!

[@dp9ch]

Important interview, great guy. Thanks

[@justanotherguy1794]

Excellent talk, in terms of both content and style: hit all the bases without being nerdy or stuffy. 2 complaints/constructive criticisms: Mr. Kennard should reconsider what constitutes neoliberal "success:" it's worked exactly as designed, just not for us. Second, this might be nitpicking, but Chomsky, Saul, et al., have been writing about this for like ~ 40 years. That said, his conclusions are damning and well-reasoned; I'm looking forward to the book.

[@allangilchrist5938]

I agree. But the 'Im Alright Jack' idiot population let them get away with it. Still do.

[@ennisdodd1888]

Excellent interview. Thanks.

[@nikjohnstone5511]

Wow… That’s relit a fire. Great work chaps 👏

[@dehsa38]

It started with granting corporations the status of personhood.

[@lilylacosse1649]

Citizens United - fucked up name.

[@TiffanyTeaLeaves]

I for one am eager to get involved to help solve some of these problems. My mind is brimming with out of the box ideas that have legs. I’m currently seeking some help transitioning my career away from visual design/advertising/messaging for healthcare holding companies and towards entities that are calling attention to the current state of things, connecting people with complimentary action-lists to each other, and to get my ideas heard; by the people with the means to help make them into campaigns, bills, and eventually laws. I have time, talent and the passion to see projects through, but I’m lacking experience in this sector. I hope my “message in a bottle” finds it was to a team in need of what I have to offer. Cheers - Tiffany

[@crestofscribbles8761]

If I had the money to hire you, I would. I'm hoping to start a small game company that reverses a lot of insidious monetization trends and hopefully creates positive and innovative content, but I've barely even started at this point.

[@TiffanyTeaLeaves]

@@crestofscribbles8761 your idea will be a welcome addition to culture. Maybe instead of advertisements for retail profits you’ll figure out how to advertise non-distracting, critical information

[@hoshpakamies5643]

The entire establishment is 100% owned by corporate interest, middle class shrinking, wealth concentrating, enjoy watching ur country burn while people debate electoral politics

[@user-ov4bx4of9v]

Thank you

[@robbierobot9685]

Fantastic interview.

[@MrJason005]

Thank you PoliticsJOE for hosting such interesting guests and having long interviews with them. It's a very rare thing in 2023 when you actually sit down with someone knowledgeable and talk about a topic extensively, all of the media just wants soundbites and quick 5min interviews to get to the next ad break. Was nice listening to this interview while I was ironing the clothes haha

[@letthatsinkin7879]

I'm reading Matt and Claire's 'Silent Coup,' and this vid was an excellent primer for the book. Thank you!

[@Challeen]

People need to share this far and wide. Wakey Wakey

[@mariacrouch7109]

Well said 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍

[@prefabstories]

Right on cue, Edinburgh City Council announce the creation of a Green Free Port north and south of the Forth. Ineos (petro-chemicals) and Babcock (manufacturers of WMD) are major stakeholders.

[@angryherbalgerbil]

Middlesbrough opened one a few years back through the newly appointed devolution agenda of regional mayors... He just happened to be a Conservative.

[@peterscott2395]

Don't worry, as a resident in Edinburgh the council couldn't run a bath so it's unlikely to happen for another hundred years if at all

[@ashrafjehangirqazi1497]

Great stuff. Known it for the past 50 years because of the writings of Noam Chomsky.

[@sstuddert]

And now they've actually convinced a lot of people on the left that Chomsky is "out of touch" or suffering from cognitive decline.

[@annfarmer9704]

thank you thank you thank you you are a hero. EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE THIS how do we solve this? worldwide revolution?

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

The worst anti-social greed in the world,

[@zipkeen8339]

By far the hardest video to watch and still made myself watch. Also the most important video I have ever watched.

[@halimaalhiane9284]

Me too

[@boyax7825]

we need more people like this

[@andrewhowarth7260]

Confirms what I thought and explained it in a really good articulate way...

[@TheSapphire51]

Same here, at least we know our exoerience is based in the facts.

[@Whayles]

Well that was very interesting, and pretty depressing, can’t wait to read the book

[@ziechfred1693]

Solution is, get Private Money out of politics!

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

In Costa Rica in 1948 the government would fund political campaigns. It was a known problem.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Making Argentina sound like its simply a hapless victim is dishonest at best. The inflation rate in Argentina is disastrously high, always has been. And so are the inflation rates of its neighbors. Are they ALL victims of predatory lending from the IMF?

[@Benzo18769]

What I think is more disturbing is that even though these kinds of things are exposed on every level nothing seems to happen we just seem to keep going in the same direction,what I think we need is a modern day revolution, we've become so docile and domesticated we are no different than sheep

[@b_uppy]

Gee, I think it was political greed that ceded extra power and money to mega corporate conglomerates...

[@toi_techno]

Ireland got rid of the English early last century (except for the occupied north) We were second-world until i was a teenager in about 1995 We have played the game and our leaders are only a bit corrupt (certainly less corrupt than the UK, Germany and France) Ireland is a relatively fair, comfortable place to live now and is most certainly first-world (We have a housing issue like many countries at the moment) The great disaster for the developing world is that they're up against global capital's profit drive and the deep corruption of their leaders or the naivety of so-called socialists who seem to forget that in the backyard of the USA you need to play the game or you'll get fucked

[@botany500kojak]

Irish politicians are gophers for the corporate fascists behind the scenes implementing their WEF sponsored utopia. You just have to look at the state of Sinn Féin which were once against the EU.

[@themsmloveswar3985]

The maFFia, Denis the menace, Arter the pusher, Larry the creep, a coked up media, and a coked up police force....

[@SkyEcho7]

🏆 EXCELLENT!

[@troywalkertheprogressivean8433]

"when plunder becomes a way of life, men create for themselves, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." - Bastiat DUH🤤

[@TheLuminousOne]

Said it would go like this 20+ years ago. It's going to get much worse, that's what happens when you're mentally unwell with materialism, profit and power. No truly intelligent species would live like us.

[@trustthedogsheneverlies644]

Matt is leagues ahead of your last guest Jake hanrahan. So much more substance and no hypocrisy

[@homeless0alien]

Huge agree

[@dexstewart2450]

...there was an outfit called 'The East India Company'...

[@garretttedeman]

Outstanding discussion. +1+1+1

[@Eagleheart73]

I feel the union I had with my state job here in NY state, USA, was a yellow union, I just didn't have the word for it until now. Felt like they heard me out to just turn around and work with the employer. Response to video timestamp 40-42min. Also overall, great breakdown of the discourse between left and right politics.

[@jopo8281]

That was good. Keep it up. It's time to talk about answers more.

[@TheIAMINU]

It's so great how you've turned the audio levels down so when an ad comes up it blows out your eardrums ....Too funny ...

[@jeangreen432]

Thank you for posting, love Matt. (Just fyi, Volume is quite low)

[@D.von.N]

Started watching and already think: what laws would allow a corporation to win a case against the government that serves the nation?

[@D.von.N]

Like the case about S Africa and the Italian company blackmailing with courts... why the govt cannot exclude the company from business in its own territory? That would teach them. Why these companies have the force to make sovereign govts bow down instead of the govts being able of setting up rules and you are welcomed if you follow the rules or take your business elsewhere? The govt should be able to set up its own enterprise, if all companies boycott this country, and do the business by themselves. Attracting the know-how shouldn't be that hard with the right pay.

[@PortilloMoment]

Because the government (or previous governments) have signed on the dotted line. It's the equivalent of nation states reneging on a treaty it has signed. Any government can make a case (however weak) that it serves the nation. They'll be very careful not to mention the fact they prioritise interests outside the nation. And so the media has to be owned, to obscure interesting stuff like this, and to peddle the approved narrative.

[@KatieScarlett2353]

Contract law, I'd imagine. If ISDS is written into the contract, and a gov't passes a law (eg minimum wage), a corp can invoke the ISDS clause. Virgin Health did this, when it wasn't awarded a particular NHS contract it expected to get - and won. And ISDS hearings are conducted in secret, and not within a normal judicial system.

[@D.von.N]

Thanksk both for making it clearer for me. I am amazed that any govt actually agreed with this kind of contract.

[@shamey98]

Interesting non jury courts for ISDS and judiciary just focus on contract law not common good

[@wrzlygummidge]

Great interview Ollie, nice one PJ. the culmination of the East India Company experiment...... Also, couldn't help but think of the (bollocks) "take back sovereignty arguments of the swivel-eyed Brexiteers......ha! what sovereignty?!

[@alexetchart]

Love it. At last. Very quiet in the headphones

[@interestedpart2650]

Excellent

[@charlietangomedia]

Terrifying but nonetheless excellent interview. I'm ordering the book now. Matt Kennard is a champion for pursuing this largely unknown topic - thanks to the mainstream media no doubt. Hey Matt - watch your back mate!

[@petermarshall5103]

That bit at the end about how the left is alienating working class people with a hyper focus on culture wars stuff is super important

[@Kohanman]

Super important and also just a false right-wing media talking point, if you just stop and think for a second there are proportionally more persecuted minorities in the working class than any other class. There is no need to concede that fallacious framing when progressives across the globe are still the most prominent voice in campaigning for people's right to speech, while the right-wing are significantly more censorious and there have been far more occasions when they cry for cancellation of someone then the left ever have...rashford or linekar anyone? Yes corpo idpol is kinda gross, mostly cos of its inauthenticity, but the corps mostly allow it cos fiscal utilitarians like them in principle have no problem having a wider pool of consumers and workers, and cos its the one thing that corpo liberals and grassroots progressives do agree on - defending marginalised groups from conservative and populist media/political campaigns. As they should, since, even totally forgetting politics, standing up to powerful bullies with weak victims is just a no-brainer if u ain't a POS. Always remember: the culture war is a defensive one for the progressives, we have to fight on this territory, with these liberal allies, not cos we desire to but becos this is where the right has chosen to attack, and these are the only people willing to fight alongside us.

[@d3grap]

Yep, the biggest win of the capitalist-globalist right was when they pushed the occupy movement into a trans movement. Ant the whole western world suffers from it, even here, in CEE.

[@raelsackey104]

I agree about the distraction of culture wars. The fact is, there are huge issues in the culture, which are being conflated with non-issues in the cultural space. As a result, the “woke” baby is being tossed out with bath water. The liberals are turning people off, even as they have no real intention of dealing with any of the issues except performatively, and the right is all too happy to ignore legitimate issues by lumping them together with all the other stuff people don’t want to deal with. It is all designed to keep the people divided and conquered, which is the goal of both liberals and conservatives. Of course, this is because they serve the same masters. What we need to do is bring the government/corporate monster under control first! Then the people themselves can discuss the cultural issues in a more honest and dispassionate fashion, rather than viewing them through the prism of their oppression and depression, which warps their perception!

[@MarmaladeINFP]

But it's not the left overall alienating working class people. Most working class people are on the left, as most on the left are working class. That is what is made clear from public polling. Rather, corporate media and corporatocratic politics promotes culture war to caricature, scapegoat, and silence the leftist majority.

[@migueluribe4249]

It is the far right who destroyed the US. It is a type of fascism. Corporations and government working together.

[@12235117657598502586]

100% CORRECT!

[@oreradovanovi5204]

I told my sister this as something very new, she responder: - oh i know, in my law school we had a full class on this topic, that the state is under the corporations. She studied law in Yugoslavia in mid 80's. 😮

[@bambooboobamb3335]

We taught this in our independence war in Eritrea that started in 1961, we were under harsh conditions and our parents fought with very little food what you would regard famine level and dehydrated against the largest sub Saharan army of Ethiopia. They had very limited resources not anywhere limited to universities but they taught that the first reason for war is an economical one always.

[@rickatatastan2695]

22 years ago, Noreena Hertz published The Silent Takeover ... and things just got worse.