War By Other Means

War By Other Means explores how banks in the First World advance loans to Third World countries that then struggle to meet crippling interest charges. The film investigates the catastrophic effects of loans provided by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the lifestyles and well-being of citizens in poorer nations.

It demonstrates that many wars in today’s world do not involve guns, but are instead fought through monetary policies formulated by global banking institutions. The documentary argues that debt, rather than bombs or conventional weapons of war, has emerged as a powerful means of maintaining control over global economic interests.

John Pilger, the film’s writer and director, highlights the impact of these policies on the Philippines, where 44% of the national budget is used to pay interest on loans to the IMF and World Bank, while health and education receive just 3% and 15% respectively. The documentary depicts stark scenes of poverty, showing people scavenging through rubbish heaps in an effort to find items to sell in order to buy food.

War By Other Means is a compelling documentary that critically assesses the nature of Western financial assistance to the world’s poorest economies.