INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Current taxes
U.S. federal	$ 152,002	$ 314,121	$ 617,488
U.S. state and local	17,269	38,255	72,133
Non-U.S.	1,175,962	835,653	906,229
Total current tax expense	1,345,233	1,188,029	1,595,850
Deferred taxes
U.S. federal	(200,483)	8,588	(94,621)
U.S. state and local	(26,069)	1,056	(11,245)
Non-U.S.	(137,581)	56,296	(353,243)
Total deferred tax (benefit) expense	(364,133)	65,940	(459,109)
Total	$ 981,100	$ 1,253,969	$ 1,136,741