| Description |
vii, 356 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 317-330) and index. |
| Contents |
A brief history of US colonialism in Puerto Rico -- Clear and present danger: prelude to the crisis -- The diablo in derivatives: borrowing to meet basic needs -- Bond emissions, corruption, and betrayal: how two governments failed Puerto Rico -- PROMESA = pobreza -- Status update? -- Hurricane María destroys the commonwealth fantasy -- The Trump factor: vultures, lobbyists, and disaster capitalism -- The art of resistance -- Fantasy's end. |
| Summary |
"Since its acquisition by the US in 1898, Puerto Rico has served as a testing ground for the most aggressive and exploitative US economic, political, and social policies. The devastation that ensued finally grew impossible to ignore in 2017, in the wake of Hurricane María, as the physical destruction compounded the infrastructure collapse and trauma inflicted by the debt crisis. In Fantasy Island, Ed Morales traces how, over the years, Puerto Rico has served as a colonial satellite, a Cold War Caribbean showcase, a dumping ground for US manufactured goods, and a corporate tax shelter. He also shows how it has become a blank canvas for mercenary experiments in disaster capitalism on the frontlines of climate change, hamstrung by internal political corruption and the US federal government's prioritization of outside financial interests. Taking readers from San Juan to New York City and back to his family's home in the Luquillo Mountains, Morales shows us the machinations of financial and political interests in both the US and Puerto Rico, and the resistance efforts of Puerto Rican artists and activists. Through it all, he emphasizes that the only way to stop Puerto Rico from being bled is to let Puerto Ricans take control of their own destiny, going beyond the statehood-commonwealth-independence debate to complete decolonization." -- Page [2] of cover. |
| Subject |
Puerto Rico -- History.
|
|
Puerto Rico. |
|
History. |
|
Puerto Rico -- Politics and government -- 21st century.
|
|
Politics and government. |
| Chronological Term |
21st century |
| Subject |
Puerto Rico -- Economic conditions -- 21st century.
|
|
Economic conditions. |
|
Puerto Ricans -- United States -- History.
|
|
Puerto Ricans. |
|
United States. |
|
Hurricane Maria, 2017.
|
|
Hurricane Maria (2017) |
|
Capitalism -- Puerto Rico -- History.
|
|
Capitalism. |
|
Economic history. |
| Chronological Term |
2000-2099 |
| Genre/Form |
History.
|
| Added Title |
Colonialism, exploitation, and the betrayal of Puerto Rico |
| Other Form: |
Ebook version : 9781568588988 |
| ISBN |
9781568588995 (hardcover) |
|
1568588992 (hardcover) |
|
9781568588988 (ebook) |
|
