A first look at Naomi Klein's new book "The Shock Doctrine".

[GliderGuider]

Jesus, what a book.

It is required reading for anyone who understands the implications of the current convergence of peak oil, ecological collapse, climate chaos and economic instability: that the merging of these global storm fronts is going to result in large-scale, widespread disruptions to our social and economic fabric.

Klein's book describes exactly what we have to look forward to as a result on the political front as doctrinaire free-marketeers take advantage of the resulting disasters to push forward their agenda of privatization, wealth accumulation, the acquisition of absolute power and the establishment of what amounts to a neo-feudal system. As happened after 9/11, the tsunami, NOLA, the coups in Chile and Argentina and the invasion of Iraq, effective opposition will be shocked into paralysis and supporters of radical restructuring will have a clear field.

If the coming turmoil is as deep and widespread as many of us fear, it will present the greatest opportunity in history for the "Chicago School". If things go as far as I expect they will, then in 50 or 75 years this may become moot, but in the meantime it's something to be very concerned about. As times get tougher people will clamor for strong-handed governments and those governments will inevitably be drawn from the authoritarian ranks of those who are most aware of the Shock Doctrine. They may then deliberately exacerbate the crisis they were selected to guard against, because increasing the crisis furthers their ultimate goals.

This approach is already visible in the obstructionist political appointments made by the Bush regime in virtually every area having to do with the environment. It's as though they actually wanted to make the problems worse, isn't it? Why would they do that? Naomi Klein presents a frighteningly plausible reason.

Get the book.

[Vilis Veritas]

1. I just got my copy.

If anyone doubts this theory, just look at Iraq. We are furiously building HUGE bases. That is why there is no water or electricity for the citizens. It is all being used to hurry along the construction projects. Shrub has to complete them before he leaves office.

That is all. Nothing to see here. Move along.

No Fear.