Welcome to Crisis in Perception.In this Deep Dive, we examine Gangsters of Capitalism by Jonathan M. Katz — a historical investigation into the rise of American empire through the life of Marine Corps General Smedley Butler, one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history.Katz traces Butler’s career from early interventions during the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion to U.S. military occupations in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Over time, Butler came to see his service not as national defense, but as enforcement on behalf of corporate and financial interests — later describing himself as a “racketeer for capitalism.”Topics explored in this episode include:The mechanics of early American imperial expansionHow military force and corporate interests intertwinedThe role of Wall Street and industry in foreign interventionButler’s moral reckoning with empire and warU.S. occupations in Latin America and AsiaThe alleged Business Plot against FDRWhy empires often require myth to sustain legitimacyThis episode is not anti-military and not ahistorical revisionism.It is a systems-level examination of power, incentives, and empire.▶ MINI EXPLAINER VERSIONPrefer a shorter visual overview?Watch the Mini Explainer here:👉 https://youtu.be/1hK12tpbI3s📚 CREDITSBased on ideas from Gangsters of Capitalism by Jonathan M. Katz.This episode is a transformative educational analysis, not a substitute for the original work.❤️ SUPPORT THE PROJECTSupport Crisis in Perception on Patreon:👉 https://patreon.com/CrisisInPerception