Standage ends his chapter with his usual mixture of modesty and boldness. It’s obvious that Coke doesn’t
create health and intelligence, but Standage is willing to argue that Coke is so closely correlated with American culture and influence that wherever people drink Coke, there must be an strong American presence. Though this might mean a better economy, more human rights, and better education, it also might mean exploitation, corruption, and cultural oppression—just as Coke is sugary and delicious, but also incredibly unhealthy. In the end, Standage (as usual) refuses to say what he thinks of American global power, and lets us make up our own minds.