The Power and Influence of Corporations

 Torres-Spelliscy in this new book gives us a multitude of scandals, controversies and litigation related to corporate influence on political figures. While reviewing some recent situations, the reader is left with the impression that this is a 21st century phenomenon but then the author shows us how corporate leaders have been trying to influence politicians for hundreds of years, and politicians have been peddling their influence to the highest bidders. This is laid out well, except for a diversion into January 6, 2021 ramifications, of which it’s unclear how corporations influenced this. While there are recommendations at the end of the book—mostly be aware of what your politicians are doing and vote them out if they’re corrupt—there’s no indication that there’s anything novel here, nor the probability of success, nor how these recommendations differ from recommendations given 20 years, 50 years or 100 years ago….and still haven’t been implemented or effective. So what’s going to be different after this book is published? I don’t know.

I’m appreciative that the publisher provided an advanced copy.

A Voyage through Economic History on a Barge

 A barge is built 45 years ago, and turned into an accommodation vessel—a “coastel”—to house oil rig workers, soldiers, prisoners, factory workers…but mostly to be carried by the currents of politics, geopolitics, economics, whims of shipping magnates and registry preferences, and culture. The author Kumekawa does an amazing job of paying attention to the contexts of shipbuilding—regulatory changes, government fiscal policy, crime statistics, historical foundations that set into motion movements carried out in contemporary times. The vessel (and her sister) are not tremendous feats of shipbuilding but it is indicative of the transitory needs of various national and business interests. It’s hard to think of any aspect the author may have missed. But if you needed to know how we got “here,” this book will trace the flow of our shared lifetimes—and our forebears—through the story of this “empty vessel.”

I appreciate the publisher sharing an advanced copy.