Mark Curtis is an independent author, journalist and consultant. He is a former Research Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and was until recently Director of the World Development Movement. He has worked in the field of international development for 14 years, including as Head of Global Advocacy and Policy at Christian Aid and Head of Policy at ActionAid.
He has written five books and numerous articles on British and US foreign policies and international development and trade issues. His most recent books are: Unpeople: Britain’s Secret Human Rights Abuses (Vintage, London, 2004); Web of Deceit: Britain’s Real Role in the World, (Vintage, London, 2003); Trade for Life: Making Trade Work for Poor People (Christian Aid, London, 2001); The Great Deception: Anglo-American Power and World Order (Pluto, London, 1998); and The Ambiguities of Power: British Foreign Policy since 1945 (Zed, London, 1995).
He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde and has been Visiting Research Fellow at the Institut Francais des Relations Internationales, Paris and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Auswaertige Politik, Bonn. He is a graduate of Goldsmiths’ College, University of London and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He does numerous public talks and is a regular commentator in the media.
Current projects include a new book on British foreign policy and radical Islam, travel to various African countries to investigate why hunger is deepening among poor farmers and investigations into the harsh impact of British mining and energy companies overseas – as well as the continuing hopeless task of interesting a mainstream media broadcaster in films on the reality of British foreign policy.
To contact Mark, email: mark@markcurtis.info
To visit Mark’s research on international development issues (including food/agriculture, mining, tax and trade) visit www.curtisresearch.org
Can I recommend a study of the Islamic world, it is clear that many westerners do not understand why there is so much hatred of the west in Muslim countries. The hatred is based on our historical experience with the west (not religion), but has been forgotten by westerners.
The study should try to include countries such as Indonesia (and surrounding region), Pre-partioned India, the Greater Middle-east and Eastern Europe (Bosnia, Kosova etc).
Hi, recently discovered you whilst reading Chomsky’s Failed States. My library card was maxed so I had to actually cut short that read in order to take out your book (unpeople). I’m sure you get a lot of praise, so I’ll spare you. I am interested in your proposed investigations into the poverty of African farmers and look forward to reading what you come up with.
I bought your fantastic book Web of Deceit – I can’t remember where I heard of it, maybe on http://www.philosophyfootball.com – I agree with the poster above about the need for a decent book on the interaction between the Islamic world and the West – Said’s Orientalism will of course be a vital reference.
Fantastic books. Very informative. Currently reading WoD.
BTW, please consider removing the picture at the top of this page. For a second I thought, Mark Curtis was the bloke with the semi-automatic weapon in his hand!
“Unpeople” is a very appropriate term for the millions that have been sacrificed for the greed of a small number of megalomaniacs. In truth, every single normal person in this world is an “unperson” to the psychopaths in positions of political and corporate power. For there to be any hope of a change in the status quo it seems essential that the concept of psychopathy be disseminated as far and wide as possible. If normal people the world over were to understand that the massive suffering that defines human existence is not due to fate but rather the presence of veritable wolves in sheep’s clothing in the top positions of the world’s major political and corporate institutions, then we the people would be armed with the knowledge to truly change the world.
A seminal work on Psychopathy in politics entitled Political Ponerology is a must read.
Mark, if you would like a copy for review just let me know.
Just a quick note to say how useful I have foud your reserch into the “Mau Mau” emrgency in Kenya. I’m a student researching for dissertation and have an enormous interest in this subject, and the mythology that continues to surround it.
Just thought I’d say a big ‘thankyou’ to you Mark. You’re doing such a great job exposing the myths and bringing out the truth for all to see. It’s people like you, John Pilger and George Monbiot who should be taught at school! i’ll continue to encourage those around me to read your work. (ps i too thought that the picture of the marine above was you!)
A note to highlight the quality of ‘Ambiguities of Power’, which doesn’t seem to ever have achieved as much recognition as your more contemporary work. This book is really important as a measured, immpecably researched and argued overview of that which lies just under the surface of any Foreign Policy, ‘Ethical’ or otherwise and has kept me grounded in my own work. Please do keep up the good work.
Peace
Thanks to Heikal and Chatham House for their guidance to your webs’.
I can be of help in your research re:
“investigate why hunger is deepening among poor African farmers”.
I have documentry evidence how corporate agri-machinery manufacturers are selling junk to Africa..ie.Sudan….then how they “British” use Islam and Sharia to escape liabilities, perfectly agravating and promoting poverty, hunger and wars; leaving Sudanese to live on hand outs of the British tax-payers money..i.e. donations..etc..
Dear Mark
I am doing a research on the human rights impacts of oil companies in Angola. I saw that you are doing some research on this and I will be delighted if we could discuss some of the issues you are looking at.
Best Regards,
Liliane.
Dear Mr.
My name is Patrick Messina and I am a postgraduate student at Coventry University (UK).
I am currently writing my final dissertation thesis which will partially fulfill my Master of Science in International Business.
I have chosen to write about the Fair trade movement and its evolution in particular, besides here is my topic:
“To what extent the Fair Trade can move from a market niche to the mainstream business?”
I have done some researches so far and I have actually found that you hold a knowledge concerning my subject and I would like to know if u would like to participate and give me your point of view on that challenge facing by the Fair Trade. I would like to interview you by phone and ask you some questions, if it is not possible or not convenient for you, I can send you my questions by mail. Anyway I am looking forward to hear from you and thank you in advance, your contribution will be more than beneficial for my dissertation.
By the way I have attached to this mail my research proposal which will give you an overview of my research as well as my interview questions, so do not hesitate to have a look.
My supervisor is Pr Phil Harris, Professor of Plant Science, Head of International Development ( Email: p.harris@coventry.ac.uk )
Regards
Patrick Messina
Master of Science International Business Student 2008/2009
Coventry University
United Kingdom
Your book ‘Web of Deceit’ has opened up my eyes. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that the British elites could be so calculating. My jaw dropped at the turn of every page in awe and shock. The book is extremely well written with references to every statement. Unlike Niall Ferguson’s ‘Empire; How Britain made the Modern World’ which seeks to legitimise the actions of the British Empire your book provides truth and hope to those who were once affected by British viciousness (as described in your book). Your work is enlightening and dare I say the only hope for all the ‘unpeople’ of this world.
Mechanisms of language acquisition. ,