[Peace-discuss] Best geopolitical analysis

[C. G. Estabrook]

I think it's one of the most important books published recently.  Klein 
has done her homework, both as a reporter and an analyst; my only 
hesitation is that the parallel with literal shock therapy may be a bit 
forced (so to speak) -- although she quite appropriately exposes abuses 
there, as well.

THE SHOCK DOCTRINE appeared while I was in the midst of a reading course 
on David Harvey, A BRIEF HISTORY OF NEOLIBERALISM (2006) -- one of the 
best general accounts of the world economy around -- and it was an 
excellent updating and specification of Harvey's theses.  Klein's book 
deserved better than the condescending review Joseph Stiglitz gave it in 
the NYTBR.  The only reason I can think for it is that Klein shows up 
the deficiencies in the Nobel laureate's "enlightened globalization" 
view.  (See Walden Bello, <http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4569>.) --CGE


John W. wrote:
> I'm curious what you as a historian, Carl, think of Naomi Klein's "The 
> Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism", which I've mentioned 
> I'm reading.  While I've undoubtedly not read nearly as many 
> politico-historical tomes as you have, for me it sums up the Big Picture 
> of the latter half of the 20th century (though Viet Nam is something of 
> a glaring omission), and on into this one, probably better than anything 
> I've ever read.  Your thoughts?
> 
> John Wason