The Shock Doctrine[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The Shock Doctrine is a concept and term coined by Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein in her 2007 book "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism." The term describes a political-economic phenomenon where governments and corporations exploit crises and disasters to implement controversial and unpopular policies. These policies typically involve deregulation, privatization, and the reduction of government spending on social services, enacted under the guise of solving the crisis at hand.

Naomi Klein, who coined the term "The Shock Doctrine."

Origin of the Term[edit | edit source]

The concept was first introduced by Klein in her book, where she detailed how such strategies have been applied globally over several decades. Klein argues that the shock of crises – whether natural disasters, wars, or economic collapses – creates a window of opportunity for radical economic changes that consolidate wealth in the hands of a few.

Key Concepts[edit | edit source]

The Shock Doctrine is underpinned by the idea that rapid social and economic changes can be pushed through during periods of crisis when the population is too distracted, disorganized, or disoriented to resist. Klein draws on the work of economist Milton Friedman and his belief that only a crisis produces real change, suggesting that when that crisis occurs, the actions taken depend on the ideas lying around.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Chile and the Coup of 1973: The implementation of neoliberal economic reforms following the overthrow of Salvador Allende.
Iraq War: The privatization of the Iraqi economy and reconstruction efforts post-invasion.
Hurricane Katrina: The restructuring of the New Orleans school system and housing policy in the aftermath.

Hurricane Katrina, an event associated with the application of The Shock Doctrine.

Criticism[edit | edit source]

The Shock Doctrine has been critiqued by some economists and political commentators who argue that Klein overstates the extent to which crisis is exploited for economic gain, and that her interpretation of events often lacks nuance. Critics also contend that some reforms she attributes to exploitation of crises are, in fact, legitimate responses to those crises.

Impact[edit | edit source]

Klein's work has had a significant impact on political discourse, bringing attention to the strategies used by some governments and corporations to implement neoliberal policies around the world. The term "Shock Doctrine" has entered the lexicon as a critical perspective on disaster capitalism.

References[edit | edit source]

Klein, Naomi. "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism." Metropolitan Books, 2007.
Friedman, Milton. "Capitalism and Freedom." University of Chicago Press, 1962.

External Links[edit | edit source]

The Shock Doctrine - Official website
The Guardian: The Shock Doctrine review

The Shock Doctrine Resources
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