Celebrity philanthropy comes in many guises, but no single figure better encapsulates itsdelusions, pretensions and wrongheadedness than U2s iconic frontman, Bonoafact neither sunglasses nor leather pants can hide. More than a merephilanthropistindeed, he is said to lag behind some peers when it comes toparting with his own moneyBono is better described as an advocate, one who hasbecome an unwitting symbol of a complacent wealthy Western elite. The Frontman shows how Bono defended U2's partial move to Amsterdam, avoiding Irish taxes;his paternalistic advocacy of neoliberal solutions in Africa; his multinationalbusiness interests; and his hobnobbing with Paul Wolfowitz and shock-doctrineeconomist Jeffrey Sachs. Carefully dissecting the rhetoric and actions of Bonothe political operator, The Frontman argues that he is an ambassador forimperial exploitation, a man who has turned his attention to a world of savageinjustice, inequality and exploitationand helped make it worse. |