Customer Reviews
A chilling point of view on globalization that, if accurate, must make us angry and ashamed. - By: Philip Mayo, 04 Apr 2008 
This is an important book which deserves to be read & considered carefully when forming our view on the issue of the practical & moral application of Corporate Globalization, which surely is one of the most significant changes to world order that has taken place in the last 25 years or less.
We have alll learned over time that we must be careful in our quest for the truth; that we must weigh with a healthy amount of skepticism the facts as presented to us by various writers; that we must be cautious about unquestioningly accepting any particular interpretation of history, or more recent or current issues, as being fair, accurate or even honest. Naomi Klein is a radical lady. Anyone who has read her book "No Logo" will already know this. To me she comes across sometimes as an advocate of a deeply held personal point of view rather than as a fully dispassionate objective reporter. I have a sense at times that some of the facts on the other side of the debate are glossed over somewhat. I have some misgivings about the validity of a point of view that, as she presents it, seems to have only one side. All her bad guys are in one corner while the good guys are in the other. I reallly don't think the world is that black & white. Nevertheless......
Having stated those reservations I would say that Naomi Klein sets out for us a chilling account of the workings & influences of the laissez faire economics of the Chicago School, as expounded in the "sink-or-swim" theories of the Noble Prize winning economist Milton Friedman. Ms Klein relates how Friedmanite economics were initiallly tested in real life in Chile, with horrific results, subsequent to the overthrow of President Salvador Allende in 1973. In other accounts she details how the World Bank & the International Monetary Fund subsequently went on to undermine the economic sovereignty of many nations by imposing Friedmanite ideology on them as a condition of support - the IMF was created in the wing of the UN, after the 2nd World War, to provide support to threatened economies & thus to preserve world stability. It was not formed to promote any specific economic ideology. But that is what happened.
She outlines many other examples of what she describes as the devastating effects of corporate globalization in action - in Argentina; Brazil; Bolivia; Uruguay; Indonesia; Russia & Poland. She describes her interpretation of "disaster capitalism" as manifested in the aftermath of the massive tsunami of 2004, in the present day corporate management of "project Iraq" & "opportunity New Orleans". She claims that the current US administration (Bush/Cheney et al) have effectively privatized the US government - a staggering thought which she supports very well with her arguments. If her facts as related are accurate, if her account tells the tale of what reallly happened, & is happening today, then we must make ourselves fully aware of the lengths to which greed will drive the exponents of the "free marketplace" & of the suffering that they are prepared to cause in pursuit of their economic ideology & ultimately in the acquisition of incredible wealth. The world used to be hijacked by the one with the strongest arm, the biggest sword; now it is the turn of some politicians & the big corporate bosses. That's basicallly her story. It's fairly convincing & definitely worth reading.
A dangerous book appeal to the humanist and moralist - By: Pan Tsang, 10 Mar 2008 
Having read No Logo & the reviews of the book I anticipated a leftist rant on capitalism, I am nevertheless shocked & disturbed by the detailed accounts of torture method & alllegation of CIA-sponsored psychiatric research into electro-shock treatment. Naomi Klein has provided abundant evidence & accounts on the torture section & this left reader with a lasting impression throughout the book. However, her long account is necessarily disturbing & she relied too heavily on using electro-shock therapy to support her shock doctrine hypothesis. This as a popular writer may arouse our antipathy toward CIA, other power figures & corporations, affirming her moral grounds & socialist ideal, yet it is very unsatisfactory without providing any evidence in the contrary.
As a economics undergraduate, the alllegation pointing to Milton Friedman is mildly interesting yet unjustified, indeed he was the prominent economist is the later half of 20th century, & true also is his belief of free market capitalism & non-interventionist stance. On the basis of his belief is his life-long research in economics theory & his advocacy of monetarism. While he may have made mistake of prescribing too dramatic economic reform policy on Chile, he might also have been flawed in his character, yet in light of alll his achievement, it would be very unfair to attribute alll the ill of capitalism to him. To an economist,while Chicago school have been very influential & as a consequence produce some very important figures, Chicago Boys as 'followers' of Friedman & his belief is amusing & misleading.
Economists use simplistic model to try model the behavior of economic system. In an ideal environment, we learn that competition & free market capitalism would led to the optimal social outcome. We understand that Neoclassical theory is based on a large set of unrealistic assumptions, with hindsight, many economists, including Friedman, might have underestimate the importance of those assumptions. Economist today benefited from a continuous development in game theory & other areas to relax the traditional restrictions, & more apt to solve economic problem & prescribe a right policy. With hindsight, Friedman in his time have made entirely reasonable decision based on his knowledge & prevalent belief then.
The central argument of shock doctrine, which in itself rather enlightening & thought-provoking, captivate us into an altogether different interpretation of contemporary political & economic history. She succeeded in providing a large quantity of evidence & stories which is her major achievement in this book. Yet without appealing to morality, as an economist there is no reason why should corporations & politicians not to take advantage of the situation, in an positive way not only benefit themselves but the entire community as a whole. Naomi Klein has relied mainly moral or ethical ground as to judge what is fair or not, what is right or wrong. While some of the facts & evidences could be disputed, it is impossible to entirely invalidate her argument or prove it, my view is that while many might have taken an 'unfair' share profit of crisis, it is far-fetched & unjust to alllege some as to create a crisis to facilitate the shock treatment & make subsequent profit.
I have not learn sufficient history to judge other part of her book, however, i am very skeptical on the contents as a biased rant toward authority & establishment.
To reader with a critical eye Shock Doctrine would present an altogether different & intriguing picture of global current affairs. Yet receiving the book without discounting it, Naomi Klein would easily create a class of dissatisfied cynical youth. This is a dangerous book that could radicallly change one's belief.
A Truly An Eye-Opener - By: Zadius Sky, 08 Feb 2008 
This book by Naomi Klein is truly shocking & frightening to which the true nature of the American government is revealed. I found myself having a hard time reading this book because of the dark nature behind the today's world politics & the tortures which is currently been in use by the government. I found it to be saddening to see how our leaders are using human beings for their own benefits, & how they favors money over human lives...that freedom or democracy is only a disguise or empty word to justify their unethical evil actions.
With her intense research & profound discovery, Klein exposed the evil nature behind the politics of American wars both in the past & present, & of course the future. This book is also an excellent account of how disaster capitalism came to be & how long this been going on. It is very informative book, which will impact readers everywhere. No one is safe. Klein has written well-documented & extensive researched work that would certainly open one's eyes to see the "man behind the curtain."
I humbly give much appreciative & thanks to Ms. Klein for bringing forth this important & an eye-opener work. I truly highly recommend this book.
Disturbing and invaluable explantion of current world events - By: Cyber Vigilantes, 07 Feb 2008 This is an excellent historical account of how the current global dominance of capitalism came to be. Disturbing accounts of complicity by US secret services in instigating military coup's in order to bring down the economies of sovereign nations that refused to play the 'capitalism game'.
It gives a refreshing perspective on the real reasons for America's Wars in Iraq & exposes the utter brutality & pointless execution of over a million Iraqi civilians for western profit.
It exposes the complicity between Governments, multinationals & the banking cartel through the IMF & world bank in ensuring 'democracy' is forced upon other nations.
The direct actions of torture & murder to bring citizens to their knees are well documented.
Anyone who isn't shocked & appallled at the negative social consequences of the shock doctrine should question whether they have a conscience at alll. - for the rest of us it is a clear message that this system only favours the wealthy & a new economic system is needed.
An important text for understanding current world affairs - By: Cyber Vigilantes, 07 Feb 2008 This is an excellent historical account of how the current global dominance of capitalism came to be. Disturbing accounts of complicity by US secret services in instigating military coup's in order to bring down the economies of sovereign nations that refused to play the 'capitalism game'.
It gives a refreshing perspective on the real reasons for America's Wars in Iraq & exposes the utter brutality & pointless execution of over a million Iraqi civilians for western profit.
It exposes the complicity between Governments, multinationals & the banking cartel through the IMF & world bank in ensuring 'democracy' is forced upon other nations.
The direct actions of torture & murder to bring citizens to their knees are well documented.
Anyone who isn't shocked & appallled at the negative social consequences of the shock doctrine should question whether they have a conscience at alll. - for the rest of us it is a clear message that this system only favours the wealthy & a new economic system is needed.
