Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine"

[Yael]

I purchased the book this week and can't put it down. While I have an undergraduate BS degree in Economics, I have learned more about the foundation of the various theories in 100 pages of Klein's book than I ever was exposed to in 4 years of college.

The thing I like best about this is how she is making the connection that few are willing to recognize -- and that is the fact that economic policy system change 'shocks' ARE intrinsically tied to police action and other nefarious policy system 'shocks'. How she ties these in and makes the case that one can't function without the other is simply mind blowing.

The additional breakdown of the definitions and goals of Freidman Capitalism , Marxist Communism and Keynesian Blended economic policies is a course all in its own.

My kudos to Ms. Klein on a book so very well written, I could and WILL say that it is the most important book of 2007, and a MUST read for anyone whose interests lend to fiscal/monitary policy and Economic theory.

Anyone else reading this (or have read it)?

[mike_c]

1. it's about the third from the top in my pile of books to read...

...during the next several weeks, so I'll be reading it soon. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Yael]

11. Will look forward to your comments!

[CrispyQ]

2. I just received it from Amazon yesterday, along with Naomi Wolf's "Letter of Warning."

I haven't had a chance to look through either of them, but I found a thread in the non-fiction forum. It's not very old either, so please, consider posting there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=209x5860


BTW, a totally off-topic observation I've made about my local library. Up until the 2004 election we had a very nice collection of current political books, by both conservative & liberal authors. It seems that now, 3 years later, they are not keeping up with new political books releases, but it is especially noticeable with the liberal selections - there are hardly any.

When we were doing the monthly book club here at DU I could almost always find the current selection at my library. Now I search for books discussed on this site & the library rarely has them. I wonder what has caused this lack of liberal political books? Is it simply lack of funds or is our library being censored.

I inquired about donating books, but they will not accept book donations from individuals. If you donate books for the library, the books go into the book sale collection which supports the kids homework center. I don't mind contributing books for the kids homework center, but I wonder why I cannot also specify that I want the book to go to the library. My answer was, "That's just the way it is."

[Yael]

12. I didn't get "Letter of Warning"

and I ordered from Amazon as well. What is that?

On the library thing, I tried a few years ago to donate and they told me they can't take books. I just stood there looking confused and someone else who worked there came up and said, "here, I'll take them for you :) ".

You could tell she thought I was "slow" by the way she spoke to me. Fine by me! Got them off my hands and into someone elses. LOL

[Triana]

3. I haven't gotten it yet but based on your review...

...I will NOW! Besides I want to support her by buying her book. Everything I see about it says it's incredible.

[Yael]

13. Excellent!

Can't wait to see your feedback.

[rodeodance]

4. I have it on RECALL from local library---but have read several previews.

[pnorman]

5. I Have it in Audible format (a little over 9 hours listening time).

It was also difficult for me to lay it down. Whenever I heard something that might need challenging, I'd stop the MP3 player in my pocket, and go to the computer and Google. She checked out correctly each time.

Her "Shock and Awe" connection between CIA mind-fuck interrogation techniques, and Chile, Argentina, and Iraq (News Orleans also!) may be "speculative". but I believe she still made a very compelling case. Discard it as "unproven" if you wish, but the book is still necessary reading. But if you have a low boiling point, be sure to be sitting down while reading (or listening to) it! (I was washing dishes while listening to one passage, and came close to doing some damage!)

Here's a good Democracy Now! interview: http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/17/1411235&mode=thread&tid=25

pnorman
On edit: Check out this video: http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine/short-film

[Yael]

14. Thanks for the links!

[Blackhatjack]

6. I've never forgotten "Every military conflict has an economic incentive" ---goes back to Roman times

Historical commentators have discussed how the Romans' attempt to conquer the known world was driven by the need for new and consistent sources of 'tribute' or taxes to be paid to Rome.

Every war fought since Roman times has included an economic component, and in many cases the economic component persuaded some countries and peoples to 'submit' rather than fight a superior fighting force. Often times if a country would submit to the Romans, many of the country's high officials were taken in and given offices in the new administration of that territory.

[PDJane]

7. I've read it.

I've read "Letter of Warning." They're both must-reads; very well-written and accessible, and worth the time. I will be lending these out, very carefully, to those whom I think will read them and give them back! I find that reading both books together is a worthwhile exercise, too.


I'm waiting on Nemisis, the last in the Chalmers Johnson trilogy at the moment, and Gwynne Dyer's latest.

[pnorman]

10. "I'm waiting on Nemesis"

Thanks for reminding me! I just checked at Audible.com, and it's now listed there. So I bought and downloaded it, and am listening to it right now.

pnorman

[SecularMotion]

8. I ordered it the day it was released

after seeing Naomi on Democracy Now.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/17/1411235&mode=thread&tid=25

It's next on my reading list. I have previewed some of the book and I am impressed with how easy it reads, considering the subject. It is an important book. Be careful not to scare readers away who may be intimidated by a book on economics. It is much more than that.

[Yael]

15. You make a good point

This is indeed written in a manner that EVERYone can enjoy it. I didn't mean to make it sound otherwise!

I just know that it is like a fix to an Econ junkie. :D

[DURHAM D]

9. How strange -

I just added to my Saturday to do list a trip to the local indy bookstore to buy "The Shock Doctrine" and "Fair Game".

Then I opened up DU and read your post.

[WillyT]

16. My Mom Just Finished It, And Has Been Raving About It Ever Since !!!

I thought she was talking about Naomi Wolf's book at first, so now she's going out to buy that one to read too.

She's 76 years old, and make me look like a piker.

:shrug:

[cascadiance]

17. I think we should call Costco to get them to stock it there...

I've been meaning to get it, and have looked for it there the last couple of times I went there. Instead I find Ann Coulter's, Bill O'Lielly's, and Laura Ingraham's new books. And this is a "blue" business? I did pick up Valerie Plame's new book there, but we really should have more like the "Shock Doctrine" there instead of the other trash!