Hudson on Super Imperialism 1

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from Asad Zaman and WEA Pedagogy Blog

In this sequence of posts, I will present the contents of the video podcast entitled “Michael Hudson: Why the US has a unique place in the history of imperialism? ” For me, Hudson’s book Super Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of the American Empire was an amazing eye-opener, essential reading for anyone who want to understand modern real world economics. The podcast provides a summary of his ideas, and these posts break it down further to make it accessible to a broader audience. This first post covers about the first 20 minutes of the video.

Introduction: Michael Hudson, a distinguished economist and professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City, provides a critical analysis of the economic strategies that underpin U.S. global dominance. In his podcast, Hudson shares insights from his extensive experience as a Wall Street analyst, political consultant, and author. This blog post delves into his early influences and Wall Street experience, and critiques the World Bank’s role in perpetuating U.S. dominance through economic means.

Early Influences

Michael Hudson’s formative years were heavily influenced by his surroundings and family background. Born in Minneapolis, a city with strong Trotskyist influences, Hudson was exposed to radical political ideas from a young age. His father was actively involved in the militant Trotskyist tradition and even faced arrest under the Smith Act. This environment fostered a critical mindset in Hudson, making him question the fairness and functionality of government and economic systems. 

In Minneapolis, the Trotskyists had significant control and influence, particularly in the Teamsters Union, representing a radical stronghold in the Midwest during the 1930s. The then-Governor of Minnesota, Floyd B. Olson, was known for his anti-capitalist sentiments, famously wishing for the downfall of capitalism. This atmosphere of radical thought and political activism deeply impacted Hudson, instilling a belief that the government and economic structures were fundamentally unjust.

When his family moved to Chicago in the 1950s, the Hudson household continued to host a variety of left-wing intellectuals and activists. This constant exposure to Marxist and socialist ideas cemented Hudson’s perspective that the economy was rigged against the common people. It was during this time that he began to see the government and its policies through a lens of skepticism, recognizing the inherent exploitation in the economic system.

Wall Street Experience

Hudson’s journey into the world of finance began in New York, where he worked as a Wall Street analyst. This experience was pivotal in shaping his understanding of the real workings of the economy. Contrary to the optimistic and often simplistic economic theories taught in business schools, Hudson found that the economy was deeply rooted in exploitation and monopolistic practices.

In his early career, Hudson discovered that many of his fellow bank analysts had Marxist backgrounds. Banks preferred these analysts because they had a realistic grasp of economic exploitation and could see beyond the idealized versions of free markets taught in academia. Hudson noted that business schools typically promoted the notion that the economy was fair and that everyone received just rewards for their efforts. This idealistic view ignored the complexities of monopolies and the exploitative nature of economic systems.

Hudson’s work at various banks revealed the true nature of the economy, which was far from the barter system often described in economic textbooks. Instead, he learned that the economy was dominated by finance, debt, and intricate financial mechanisms. This realization was a stark contrast to the theories of barter and simple exchanges of goods and services prevalent in academic circles.

While Hudson pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, he remained distant from the business school environment. His academic interests lay in Germanic Philology, History, and Linguistics, with significant time spent studying Music at Roosevelt University and DePaul University. This diverse academic background contributed to Hudson’s unique approach to economics, blending historical and cultural insights with financial analysis.

Hudson’s experiences on Wall Street, combined with his diverse educational background, enabled him to develop a critical perspective on mainstream economic theories. He realized that the academic teachings often overlooked the realities of debt, financing, and exploitation that dominated the actual functioning of the economy. This understanding laid the foundation for his later works, including his analysis of U.S. economic imperialism.

The Role of the World Bank in U.S. Global Dominance

One of Hudson’s central arguments revolves around the role of the World Bank in maintaining U.S. economic dominance. Contrary to the benevolent image often portrayed, Hudson argues that the World Bank has historically acted as an arm of U.S. military and economic interests.

World Bank’s Stated Purpose vs. Reality:  Upon its founding, the World Bank’s stated mission was to aid in the development of post-war economies and reduce poverty. However, Hudson explains that its actual purpose was to ensure that other countries did not produce their own food, thereby maintaining dependence on U.S. agricultural exports. This strategy was part of a broader effort to control global markets and resources.

Suppression of Agrarian Reform: Hudson’s analysis highlights how the World Bank actively suppressed agrarian reform in developing countries. By discouraging self-sufficiency and promoting export-oriented agriculture, the World Bank ensured that countries remained reliant on imports for their basic food needs. This policy not only benefited U.S. agricultural interests but also reinforced economic dependencies that aligned with U.S. geopolitical strategies.

For instance, Hudson discusses the World Bank’s involvement in India during the post-1991 economic reforms. The Bank’s policies favored urbanization and industrialization over agrarian development, leading to massive rural-to-urban migration and significant social disruption. Large hydroelectric projects funded by the World Bank displaced indigenous populations and prioritized electricity for export sectors rather than local needs.

Financial Manipulation and Debt: The World Bank also played a critical role in loading developing countries with debt. By providing loans in foreign currencies (primarily U.S. dollars), the Bank ensured that countries remained indebted and financially dependent. These loans were often tied to specific projects that benefitted U.S. companies and interests, such as infrastructure developments that facilitated the extraction and export of resources.

Hudson explains that the World Bank’s loans were structured in a way that made it difficult for countries to achieve self-sufficiency. For example, loans for agricultural projects were often conditional on producing export crops rather than food for domestic consumption. This strategy kept countries in a cycle of debt and dependence, unable to break free from the economic constraints imposed by their creditors.

Conclusion

Michael Hudson’s early influences and Wall Street experience provided him with a unique lens through which to view the economy. His exposure to radical political ideas and firsthand experience in the financial sector shaped his critical perspective on economic theories and practices. His critique of the World Bank reveals a calculated strategy to maintain U.S. dominance through financial manipulation and debt dependency.

In the next blog post, we will delve into Hudson’s analysis of how U.S. financial strategies evolved to sustain its imperial power, focusing on the transition from surplus to deficit financing and its global implications. Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of how military spending and financial policies have reinforced the U.S.’s position as a global hegemon.