Focus: Environmental justice, neoliberal [[Capitalism]], and corporate power. • Key Works: No Logo (2000), The Shock Doctrine (2007), This Changes Everything (2014). • Critique: Klein critiques right-wing economic policies, climate denialism, and the exploitation of crises to push corporate-friendly agendas. https://tsd.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine.html #### **Outline of The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein** Naomi Klein’s _The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster [[Capitalism]]_ (2007) argues that neoliberal economic policies have been imposed globally through exploiting crises. The book critiques how governments, [[Corporations]], and institutions use states of shock—caused by wars, natural disasters, or economic turmoil—to push through free-market policies that might otherwise face resistance. Below is an outline of its main concepts and structure: ##### **1. Introduction: The Central Thesis** • **“Shock Doctrine” Defined**: Klein uses the term to describe a strategy where crises create an opportunity to implement controversial neoliberal reforms, such as privatisation, deregulation, and cuts to social programs. • Inspired by psychiatrist Ewen Cameron’s experiments and economist [[Milton Friedman]]’s theories, she draws parallels between the use of literal shock therapy and economic shock policies. ##### **2. Historical Context: The Birth of Disaster Capitalism** • **Chile under Pinochet**: • Klein explores the 1973 coup in Chile as an early example. The “Chicago Boys” economists, trained by Milton Friedman, used the coup’s aftermath to introduce free-market policies under Augusto Pinochet. • These policies widened inequality and devastated public institutions but benefited elites and multinational [[Corporations]]. • **Other Case Studies**: • Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay faced similar neoliberal experiments, often accompanied by violent suppression of dissent. ##### **3. Shock and Awe: Global Expansion** • **Eastern [[Europe]] and Russia**: • After the fall of the Soviet Union, economic “shock therapy” was applied in Russia, leading to widespread privatisation and wealth concentration among oligarchs. • **Asia and the IMF**: • The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis was another moment when [[The International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) imposed neoliberal restructuring, favouring foreign investors while destabilising local economies. ##### **4. Post-9/11 and the War on Terror** • **Iraq**: • The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq is described as an experiment in shock [[Economics]], where the devastation of war allowed for the privatisation of Iraq’s public assets. • **The Rise of the Security State**: • Klein argues that disasters and wars have enabled the growth of a global security-industrial complex, where private [[Corporations]] profit from surveillance, military contracts, and reconstruction efforts. ##### **5. Natural Disasters and Climate Change** • **Hurricane Katrina**: • The disaster was used to push privatisation in New Orleans, including the public school system, housing, and healthcare services. • **Global Disasters**: • Klein contends that natural disasters increasingly serve as opportunities for corporate exploitation rather than collective rebuilding. ##### **6. Resistance and Hope** • **Grassroots Movements**: • Klein highlights examples of resistance to the Shock Doctrine, including protests in Latin America, anti-globalisation movements, and [[Indigenous]]-led environmental [[Activism]]. • **Alternatives**: • The book concludes by advocating for economic systems based on [[Community]] control, sustainability, and equity. ### **Core Criticisms** • **Exploitation of Crisis**: • Klein criticises neoliberal [[Capitalism]] for creating and perpetuating inequality, particularly through crisis exploitation. • **Role of Institutions**: • Institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and multinational [[Corporations]] are complicit in advancing disaster capitalism. #### **Key Themes** 1. **Crisis as Opportunity**: The use of crises to bypass democratic processes and impose policies that benefit elites. 2. **Neoliberal Ideology**: A critique of free-market fundamentalism as harmful to societal well-being. 3. **Resistance**: The role of grassroots [[Activism]] in opposing disaster capitalism. Klein’s _The Shock Doctrine_ is a provocative critique of how neoliberal policies are imposed and sustained, urging readers to question who benefits from crises and advocate for more equitable economic systems. ## Naomi Klein on Trump, Musk, Far Right & "End Times [[Fascism]]"  `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`