How Two Families Shaped American Politics (& War) For Their Profit
How History Works・13 minutes read
Amway, founded in 1959, operates as a multi-level marketing company with controversial recruiting practices. The company's complex business structure, ties to politics and the military, and involvement in various industries shield it from scrutiny and legal consequences, showcasing its significant influence and power.
Insights
- Amway, founded by Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, started as a direct sales company focusing on beauty, health, and home care products, inspired by their previous experience with Neutralite Products Corporation to avoid job insecurity.
- Amway's complex business structure, controversial recruiting practices, and diverse involvements in real estate, entertainment, charity, politics, and the military create a shield of influence that makes it challenging for regulators to investigate allegations of white-collar crime and raises suspicions about their impact on government policies.
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Recent questions
What is Amway?
A direct sales company founded in 1959.
Who founded Amway?
Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel.
What controversial practices does Amway employ?
Love bombing and disguised motivational seminars.
What assets does Amway own?
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Amway Center.
What is the DeVos family's connection to Amway?
Owners with ties to politics.
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Summary
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Amway: Influence, Controversy, and Power
- Amway, founded in 1959 by Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, started as a direct sales company focusing on beauty, health, and home care products.
- The founders were inspired by their experience with the Neutralite Products Corporation, leading them to establish their own company to avoid job insecurity due to a dispute with the FDA.
- Amway operates as a multi-level marketing company, incentivizing members to recruit new individuals and pay to become a member, with people being the main revenue stream.
- The company employs controversial recruiting practices, including love bombing and motivational seminars disguised as parties, aiming to disarm new members into joining.
- Amway's complex business structure involves various subsidiaries and entities, making it challenging for regulators to investigate allegations of white-collar crime.
- The company owns assets like the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the Amway Center, where they host events and concerts, showcasing their influence in real estate and entertainment.
- Amway's involvement in funding social programs, especially within fundamentalist religious angles, raises suspicions about their influence on government policies.
- The DeVos family, owners of Amway, has ties to politics, with Betsy DeVos serving as the U.S. Secretary of Education and Eric DeVos founding Blackwater, a private military company.
- Amway's connections in real estate, entertainment, charity, politics, and the military, nationally and internationally, shield them from scrutiny and legal consequences, highlighting their significant influence and power.
