We are a society of shock addicts. Wars are waged with 'Shock and Awe.' Countries are remade with 'shock therapy.' Prisoners' bodies are subjected to 'capture shock' and electroshock. In Blank is Beautiful, Klein argues that shock is both our culture's dominant metaphor for radical change and has become our economy's primary means of creating wealth. She calls this process 'disaster capitalism.' The modern market is addicted to the kind of rapid economic growth that only cataclysmic events can provide: wars, natural ...
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We are a society of shock addicts. Wars are waged with 'Shock and Awe.' Countries are remade with 'shock therapy.' Prisoners' bodies are subjected to 'capture shock' and electroshock. In Blank is Beautiful, Klein argues that shock is both our culture's dominant metaphor for radical change and has become our economy's primary means of creating wealth. She calls this process 'disaster capitalism.' The modern market is addicted to the kind of rapid economic growth that only cataclysmic events can provide: wars, natural disasters, regime collapses and economic meltdowns. Klein shows that after countries and cities are hit by these catastrophic events, they are invariably hit once again, this time with 'shock therapy,' a process of rapid-fire auctioning off of the state. What connects all these uses of shock, Klein argues, is a profoundly dangerous idea: that in order to change a place, or a mind, it must first be wiped clean, blanked. Based on breakthrough reporting from shock zones around the world, this is a frontal attack on the idea that 'free markets' and democracy are interlinked. Blank is Beautiful builds the case that modern capitalism, through its addiction to shock, reveals itself as not just anti-democratic, but anti-human.
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Seller's Description:
Good. 2007. paperback. From the library of Ivor Browne. Good copy showing light age and wear. Ownership details to half title.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
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Very Good. 1846140285. Inscribed by author on title page. Tip wear, bruising and creasing to corners of wrapper. Penguin books Benelux stamp in ink on half title page. A Good Read ships from Toronto and Niagara Falls, NY-customers outside of North America please allow two to three weeks for delivery.; 154 X 43 X 239 millimeters; 576 pages; Signed by Author.
Canadian Naomi Klein opens one's eyes to the consequences of Milton Freedman's idea of Capitalism, i.e., unfettered world-wide free trade, plus privatization of almost all government functions, including much of the military, thereby leaving corporations as the real power behind government. Capitalism without a social conscience with respect to the worker bees, who work for slave wages, while the greedy ueber-rich get richer and richer. Prepare to be shocked by this excellently detailed history of Capitalism from the 1950's to the present.
Rita V
Feb 6, 2012
Understanding Today's World
The book "The Shock Doctrine" is the best account I have seen which explains the policy and developments that brought us to the state we find ourselves in today. It outlines the influence that the economic doctrine of Milton Friedman of the Chicago School has had on the growth of privatization, deregulation, and unfettered wealth of corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens, indigenous peoples, and the working class. The book traces developments starting in Chile in the 1970s and continuing through such widespread areas as Latin America, the Far East, Eastern Europe, and the United States (e.g., New Orleans after Katrina).
The Shock Doctrinet is greatly detailed and well researched. For me the content is understandable without much economic background. I have found it invaluable in interpreting current events and trends (even though it was published in 2007) and wish the author would publish a "sequel" to include developments since the book was first published.
I have recommended this book to a number of people and, as a matter of fact, bought this copy to give to a friend. It's well worth the time and effort to peruse this work!
juniper1pinon
Oct 14, 2011
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalim
If someone wants a view of the US govt and others involvement both locally and internationally to maniuplate populations and plan for world wide domination, this is an excellent foundation to which one could expand in many directions. While written on a complex and historic level, this book is an incredible read that walks the reader through sound, researched beginnings into current day events.
The players are listed and parts they played. In today's political and business climate, if you've followed along at all, this will help the piece fall together. Though, being open minded is helpful, the credibility of resources is very strong. Try it. Strenghten your own resolve.
Magicats
Jan 28, 2010
The most important book you'll ever read
In The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein clearly and persuasively explains so much of what was always confounding, frustrating, and downright inexplicable, especially the reasons the U.S. almost always pursues immoral, unjust, and counterproductive foreign policies. Once you've mastered the principles Klein sets forth, the workings of the world are relatively simple to understand and predict. Buy several copies of this book, as you'll want to give it to the people who matter most in your life. No one who reads this book will ever look at the world the same way again.
billy101
Jan 15, 2010
Good book but......
I have expected much more from this book, I didn't finished yet to read it, and I don't think I will.
In my opinion is not very objective, seems to have a tendency against the capitalism for itself, and not for the real problems it brought. People and not the capitalism is the problem.
Even though is always good to read something different.....