Gates to a Global Empire: Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy

Over the last 30 years, individual and corporate philanthropists have emerged as a monolithic force facilitating the takeover of our seeds, agriculture, food, knowledge, and global health systems-weaving an intricate web of power and influence. Empowered by access to capital and alliances with governments and institutions, these corporations have deliberately ignored the past failures of the very technologies they push, disregarding many of the problems their initiatives yield in favor of pure profit and market expansion. Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy brings together the diverse perspectives of dedicated researchers, activists, journalists, and food systems professionals working to further food, farmer, and seed sovereignty in their regions. This global, citizens' report unravels this obscure web of power, analyzing the dangers of technocratic solutionism and the billionaire philanthropic "developments" pushing the future of our planet towards extinction and ecological collapse. Book jacket.

Dr. Vandana Shivais an author, physicist, ecologist and advocate of biodiversity conservation and protection of farmers' and women's rights. Her pioneering work around food sovereignty, traditional agriculture, and women's rights created fundamental cultural shifts in how the world views these issues. Along with Jerry Mander, Edward Goldsmith, Ralph Nader, and Jeremy Rifkin, Dr. Shiva is a leader and board member of the International Forum on Globalization and a prominent figure of the global solidarity movement known as the alter-globalization movement. Dr. Shiva founded Navdanya, an organization that promotes agroecology, seed freedom, and a vision of Earth Democracy, seeking justice for the Earth and all living beings. She has authored more than 20 books includingReclaiming the Commons: Biodiversity, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Rights of Mother Earth (Synergetic Press, 2020),Philanthrocapitalism & The Erosion of Democracy: A Global Citizens' Report on the Corporate Control of Technology, Health, and Agriculture (Synergetic Press, 2022) andAgroecology and Regenerative Agriculture: Sustainable Solutions for Hunger, Poverty, and Climate Change (Synergetic Press, 2022). Dr. Shiva is a member of the scientific committee of the Fundacion IDEAS, Spain's Socialist Party's think tank and the International Organization for a Participatory Society. She received the Right Livelihood Award in 1993, an honor known as an "Alternative Nobel Prize". She has received numerous other awards and honors for her work including the 'Save the World' award in 2009 and the Sydney Peace Prize in 2010. Dr. Shiva's life and work is the subject of the award-winning 2021 documentary, 'Seeds of Vandana Shiva.' Navdanya International promotes a new agricultural and economic paradigm, a culture of food for health, where ecological responsibility and economic justice replace the present greed, consumerism and competition which have become dominant in society. It aims at regaining the common good as a foundation for a renewed sense of community, solidarity and culture of peace. Co-Executive Director and Researcher, focusing on emerging technologies on human rights, biodiversity, equity, and food systems, ETC Group."

As the world's billionaire class reaps record profits and global inequalities further divide nations and communities, this anthology compiled by renown activist Dr. Vandana Shiva pulls back the curtain on how ruthless capitalistic exploitation branded as philanthropic altruism forges a direct path to global destruction. Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Demo cracy: A Global Citizens' Report on the Corporate Control of Technology, Health, and Agriculture details how global philanthrocapitalist organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and affiliated entities effectively monopolize and privatize common land for food production in a manner that jeopardizes public health around the globe. Through various initiatives, sub-organizations, development schemes, and funding mechanisms, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's empire in particular weaves an intricate network of power and influence designed to ensnare local communities and traditions in an unwavering pursuit of profit and market expansion. Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy calls to account problematic initiatives that serve to corrode the integrity of democratic institutions, often under a banner of future-oriented innovation. This book lays bare the destructive power of overly capitalistic systems that enable mass human suffering and environmental catastrophe via the entanglement of private investment and public policy. This democratic emergency is analyzed in detail by leading experts and civil society movements' leaders, such as: Dr. Vandana Shiva, Farida Akhter, Jos

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