A review by colin_cox
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein
5.0
In the opening pages of The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein defines "disaster capitalism" as "orchestrated raids on the public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events, with the treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities" (6). The notion that catastrophe breeds economic opportunity is arguably the most unsettling (and salient) observation Klein develops principally because free-market liberalism argues that government interventions stymie opportunity rather than produce it. Nevertheless, Klein solidifies what remains a rather nebulous concept for many regarding capitalism and its foundational idea: an economic system that prioritizes profit and growth will naturally perceive ideas such as egalitarianism and fairness as its enemy.
But perhaps there is hope. Seeing the consequences of unfettered, unregulated capitalism may encourage citizens to vote for and advocate for progressively-minded lawmakers who see government as a solution to the problems Klein explores in The Shock Doctrine. This may, however, be a tall order. Even if it produces few tangible results, The Shock Doctrine is a well-written and comprehensively researched book that investigates capitalism as it has operated since Chicago School economist Milton Friedman rose to power and prominence within the neoconservative community. Finally, Part 6 explores the transgressions of the Bush Administration in ways that I had not considered (principally because I'm not an economist). The point, I suppose, is to read this book as soon as possible.
But perhaps there is hope. Seeing the consequences of unfettered, unregulated capitalism may encourage citizens to vote for and advocate for progressively-minded lawmakers who see government as a solution to the problems Klein explores in The Shock Doctrine. This may, however, be a tall order. Even if it produces few tangible results, The Shock Doctrine is a well-written and comprehensively researched book that investigates capitalism as it has operated since Chicago School economist Milton Friedman rose to power and prominence within the neoconservative community. Finally, Part 6 explores the transgressions of the Bush Administration in ways that I had not considered (principally because I'm not an economist). The point, I suppose, is to read this book as soon as possible.