Empires of Profit: Commerce, Conquest and Corporate Responsibility Hardcover – 1

Daniel Litvin traces the clashes of culture and unexpected social problems encountered by a series of powerful companies past and present. Beginning with the English East India Company and Cecil Rhodes in southern Africa, "Empires of Profit" goes on to tell a range of stories, from the ruthless exploits of United Fruit in Central America (which helped give rise to the term "banana republics"), and the expulsion of US oil firms from the Middle East in the 1970s, to modern examples including Shell in Nigeria and Rupert Murdoch in China. In every chapter, the characters, incidents and the sometimes-shocking behaviour that has helped shape much of today's anti-globalization sentiments are brought starkly to life. But juxtaposed with the brutality are corporate acts of humanity, philanthropy and concerted attempts to foster economic development. "Empires of Profit" is an honest assessment of the often-complex issues faced by managers on the ground. It shows that, repeatedly through the ages, multinationals have failed to shape to their own advantage the social and political environment in which they operate.
 

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Review

... contributes real insights into a difficult board responsibility -- Director, January 2003
 
... greed and benevolence, ruthlessness and naiveté...marks the history of multinational involvement in poor countries, argues [Litvin] in his riveting book -- International Herald Tribune, 22 March 2003
 
.....[a] thoughtful, intensively researched and deeply impressive book -- Financial Times, 15 January 2003
 
...Litvin argues that multinationals have, time and again, come to grief not through malice but by what he calls "corporate cock-up". -- Jewish Chronicle, 21 March 2003
...differs from all the rest in approaching the phenomenon of MNCs in a refreshingly new angle...a masterly display of scholarship and insight -- Asia intelligence, 10 March 2003
 
...hair-raising accounts of greed, megalomania, conspiracy, coups...Best take a look, because the new giants are not going away. -- The Guardian, 1 February 2003
This is an important book, of use both as a primer for corporate bosses and ammunition for their enemies. And it’s fun to read. -- New Scientist, 1 March 2003
[Litvin] has achieved an improbable feat ... Engagingly written as well as original in approach, "Empires of Profit" is warmly recommended. -- The Economist, 1 March 2003
 
…Litvin’s probing history of multinationals and their impact overseas is refreshing precisely because of its balanced view. -- New Statesman, 19 May 2003

About the Author

Daniel Litvin has a two first class degrees: one in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, and the other in Anthropology and Development from the London School of Economics. Prior to beginning writing and researching Empires of Profit, he was policy advisor to Rio Tinto, where he advised the senior management of the mining giant on international issues such as debt relief and world trade and also on their internal policies on human rights and bribery and corruption. During his work for Rio Tinto, he wrote and negotiated a guidance document on implementing a corporate human rights policy, which was subsequently praised by international human rights campaigners. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, Daniel was the environment and resources correspondent for The Economist, covering issues such as global warming and profiling the bosses of multinationals. He began his work at The Economist as a home affairs correspondent. In 1998 he was the joint winner of the ??Young Financial Journalist of the Year Award?? presented by the Wincott Foundation. He has also been short listed for two other prizes: The Greenpeace Award for best business coverage, and the World Bank award for the ethics of international business. He lives in London.