9/21/2014
9/23/14 Cristal Kim
In Klein's "Shock Doctrine," she discusses the manipulative nature of capitalists as they survey the aftermath of a disaster. She criticizes the influential Milton Friedman and his ideas for a new capitalist movement in the wake of tragedy; I agree, Friedman's radical ideas would in no circumstance be fit for a nation like ours but in such dire situations they seem to be rational solutions to such disasters. Preying on the weak and vulnerable, Friedman's capitalism is only a short-term solution to a much bigger issue; a selfish endeavor, that works to benefit no one but the private players in a larger part of business, is just another tool used by political leaders in order to further gain. Ideas like Friedman's only prosper because the world is distracted by the tragedy; it does not work to rebuild a better community but to create a completely new society on a completely different foundation. Disaster are simply seen as opportunities to test new ideas and proposals on a vulnerable community with no other hope.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I also believe that Friedman's radical views are not suited for our nation. The reformation of public schools to charter schools caused further damages to those that had already been affected by Hurricane Katrina. These kind of situations are unjust because the people who have influential powers become the become the representatives of the "majority" even if it not what the majority wants.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is not right for capitalists to take advantage of the public after disasters. It is selfish of them to force their radical ideas on people who are clearly in a state of delirium and shock. You make a good point when you say that disasters are used by capitalists to test new market ideas, and I completely agree, it is disturbing.
ReplyDelete