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1. Utilitarianism – for the ruling elite

Economic hitmen often justify their actions by claiming they serve a "greater good" for their nation (typically the U.S.): expanding influence, securing resources, and protecting national interests. This is a form of distorted utilitarianism, where the benefit of a minority is prioritized over the harm done to the majority (usually developing nations).

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2. Modern Imperialism (Neo-colonialism)

At its core, the philosophy of the economic hitman is about maintaining power without direct violence: using debt, contracts, economic consulting, and international institutions (IMF, World Bank) as tools to control weaker nations. It's a form of financial colonialism, embodying a philosophy of subtle domination through economics.

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3. Instrumentalism

People in developing nations are treated as tools, not ends. Infrastructure projects, dams, ports, etc., are merely instruments to:

push nations into debt,

force compliance (through resource access, military bases, or voting alignment at the UN).

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4. Systemic Moral Evasion – Institutionalized Hypocrisy

Economic hitmen do not deny their manipulative roles—in fact, they often justify them morally: “If I don’t do it, someone else will,” or “I’m just following orders.” This reflects a philosophy of evading personal responsibility within an unethical system.

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5. The Antithesis of Humanist Philosophy

While humanist philosophy values freedom, dignity, and self-determination, the economic hitman represents its opposite: might makes right, and ethics are overshadowed by financial efficiency and political power.