(Book Review) The Shock Doctrine : the Rise of Disaster Capitalism

Abstract

Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine" analyzes the exploitation of disasters, both natural and man-made, to advance neoliberal policies that would otherwise be impossible to implement. Klein argues that these policies are often introduced during times of crisis when populations are vulnerable and focused on survival. The book draws a parallel between the use of "shock" in medical treatment and its application in economics, illustrating how neoliberal ideologues, like Milton Friedman, capitalize on moments of shock to implement radical economic restructuring. These restructurings often involve deregulation, privatization, and the erosion of social safety nets, benefiting corporations and elites at the expense of the general population. Klein provides case studies from around the world, demonstrating how this "disaster capitalism" operates, from Chile under Pinochet to post-Katrina New Orleans and post-invasion Iraq.