Preparing for Inevitable Shocks
Naomi Klein's new book, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, promises to become a major tool in the fight against rampant privatization and conservative decimation of the public sphere--but only if enough people read it and talk about its ideas. Those interested in progressive social change should consider the possibility that natural shocks or social disruptions might also provide opportunities to rectify system dysfunctions and inequities, and move communities or countries in directions that may be more positive for their well-being in the long term.