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When a free market isn't really free
An author argues that capitalism and violence are linked.
By John Freeman, Special to the Times
Published October 7, 2007
According to one theory of globalization, the spread of free-market ideas has occurred in a series of natural if sometimes painful historical developments, and the unprecedented (and highly lucrative) access Western capital enjoyed to these emerging markets is essential to kick-starting democratic reform. In this towering polemic, Naomi Klein demolishes this narrative. Skipping across several decades and numerous U.S. administrations (of both parties), Klein shows how the free-market ideas associated with Milton Friedman have spread often through catastrophe (as in Thailand, post-tsunami, and in New Orleans, post-Katrina) and at the point of a gun (as in Chile in 1973 and Iraq today). And that the violence necessary for such reforms to continue will only increase. Readers of Howard Zinn's A People's History will recognize an ideological stance at work here. But Klein is not simply a woman with a bullhorn. A fierce writer whose prose has the metaphorical gusto of Susan Sontag's in its best moments, Klein manages to weave a narrative from a large variety of historical events that is equal parts cultural commentary and investigative journalism. Among other things, this book shows how the growing role of civilian contractors, the insurgency and the constant, spooky presence of Halliburton in many recent projects (including the building of Guantanamo and the reconstruction of New Orleans) all stem from the shock doctrine. Klein reminds us that, contrary to his statements, Dick Cheney will profit enormously from his continued association with Halliburton. Here is why this book, angry as it is, deserves a wide audience: It reminds that the purpose of government is to serve the most people as best it can. Under the shock doctrine, Klein argues, the opposite occurs: One class of people comes up with the plan, another does the fighting, and a third, way at the bottom, deals with the fallout. John Freeman is the president of the National Book Critics Circle. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism By Naomi Klein Metropolitan, 558 pages, $28
[Last modified October 3, 2007, 15:23:41]
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