The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement is an agreement currently under negotiation between the US and 9 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including New Zealand. It has relatively little to do with trade but a great deal to do with taking various aspects of the law of these countries - covering such issues as investment policy, environment policy, and intellectual property/copyright policy - outside the control of their citizens and placing them under corporate control. (For Americans, think NAFTA on steroids.)

In other words, if passed, it would represent a substantial loss of national sovereignty and democratic oversight over law-making and public policy. I don't like that idea, so I'm glad NZ academic Jane Kelsey has written this concise study. (I found her previous book on the subject, "No Ordinary Deal", to be too dry and academic - this one is written for the general reader.)

"Hidden Agendas" is well worth reading if, like me, you are concerned about the corporate/security State's increasing encroachment on people's economic, political and civil rights. ( )