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markproxy's review against another edition
5.0
Easily one of the most important books I've ever read. So much of the history of free-market dogma was new to me, especially the brutality associated with undemocratically forcing it down the throats of people who didn't want it. And Naomi Klein clearly saw, in 2007, the rise of nationalism, xenophobia, and elements of fascism that most of us in the U.S. were startled by in Trump's 2016 campaign for president.
For over twenty years, I was a progressive apologist for capitalism and free-market purism. No more. The question now: what path will lead us away from today's wealth inequity? Our corporatist society is one of greed, inequity, disenfranchisement, empty liberties, and isolation. Something must be done.
For over twenty years, I was a progressive apologist for capitalism and free-market purism. No more. The question now: what path will lead us away from today's wealth inequity? Our corporatist society is one of greed, inequity, disenfranchisement, empty liberties, and isolation. Something must be done.
lucas_delap's review against another edition
5.0
There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said about this book: it’s extremely well researched, and written. It informs you on many fairly recent global events that are written as a series of case studies over the terrible outcome of the shock doctrine and neoliberal economic policies in many countries.
However, there is one serious problem with the book; the lack of a counter-argument. Throughout the book klein gives you a very one sided take on the shock doctrine which is clearly very much against it and it’s principles. I’m not saying that she is wrong, personally I agree with her. The problem is that the book would have benefited from a perspective or argument that supported the shock doctrine, and countered Kleins points. The reason for this is two folded. Firstly, it would have made the book more interesting. Secondly, by nullifying any pro-neoliberal economic arguments the case against give such ideas would be have been strengthened.
That all said because the book was so riveting, informative, detailed , interesting and captivating, I would definitely recommend it.
However, there is one serious problem with the book; the lack of a counter-argument. Throughout the book klein gives you a very one sided take on the shock doctrine which is clearly very much against it and it’s principles. I’m not saying that she is wrong, personally I agree with her. The problem is that the book would have benefited from a perspective or argument that supported the shock doctrine, and countered Kleins points. The reason for this is two folded. Firstly, it would have made the book more interesting. Secondly, by nullifying any pro-neoliberal economic arguments the case against give such ideas would be have been strengthened.
That all said because the book was so riveting, informative, detailed , interesting and captivating, I would definitely recommend it.
wietse111's review against another edition
4.0
Echt een heel interessant boek. Naomi Klein beschrijft hoe modern neoliberalisme/kapitalisme over de hele wereld verspreid wordt. Niet democratisch of omdat mensen het een goed idee vinden, maar door het gebruiken/misbruiken van shock. Van letterlijke gewelddadige dictaturen in Zuid-Amerika, tot het IMF en de wereldbank die economische crises aanmoedigen en dan misbruiken tot letterlijke natuurrampen en oorlogen. Ram er een set Friedmansiaans beleid doorheen en tadaaa: er valt heel veel geld te verdienen, maar er worden ook heel veel mensen totaal geruïneerd. Een heel goed boek, en de boodschap is denk ik heel belangrijk. Snoeihard kapitalisme is geen natuurverschijnsel. Het is heel bewust en actief ingevoerd, vooral om rijke mensen en bedrijven verder te helpen.
Een overtuigend verhaal met heel veel voorbeelden. Maar echt heel veel voorbeelden. Op een gegeven moment werd het daardoor wel soort van repetitief. Klein gebruikt ook herhaaldelijk de parallel met marteling. Eerst probeer je mensen (bij marteling) of landen (bij rampen-kapitalisme) af te breken. Daarna, als mensen in shock zijn, kan je alles doordrukken wat je wil. Het is sterke symboliek, maar wordt soms misschien wel een beetje ver doorgedrukt.
Al met al: Goed boek. Belangrijk onderwerp, hele goede praktijkvoorbeelden. Zet kapitalisme en de vrije markt wel in een nieuw (donkerder) licht. 4 sterren omdat het me wel moeite kosten om door te komen op een gegeven moment.
Een overtuigend verhaal met heel veel voorbeelden. Maar echt heel veel voorbeelden. Op een gegeven moment werd het daardoor wel soort van repetitief. Klein gebruikt ook herhaaldelijk de parallel met marteling. Eerst probeer je mensen (bij marteling) of landen (bij rampen-kapitalisme) af te breken. Daarna, als mensen in shock zijn, kan je alles doordrukken wat je wil. Het is sterke symboliek, maar wordt soms misschien wel een beetje ver doorgedrukt.
Al met al: Goed boek. Belangrijk onderwerp, hele goede praktijkvoorbeelden. Zet kapitalisme en de vrije markt wel in een nieuw (donkerder) licht. 4 sterren omdat het me wel moeite kosten om door te komen op een gegeven moment.
cleothegreat's review against another edition
5.0
1) the us fucking sucks
2) even if you don’t think you need to read this book read it
3) read it once more for good measure
2) even if you don’t think you need to read this book read it
3) read it once more for good measure
hbrxnnxmxn's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
The Shock Doctrine is the kind of book that fundamentally changed my worldview on how war, industry, disasters, economics, and capitalism all intersect - and specifically how they are much more related than one might think. It does an incredible job at reaching through history to illustrate the many ways people in power use (or cause) crisis as a means for implementing further systems of power and control. Parts of the book about economics, the governments in various countries, and finer points to wars lost me a bit, but particularly because it was my first time hearing about many of these events and the content is very information dense. Regardless, a transformational read.
goeie_systeembeheerder's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
carameliced's review against another edition
5.0
Essential reading. Should be taught in every school. A thorough explanation of almost every Western politician and government's history leading us up to this point, still incredibly relevant.
lizr1111's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
It’s incredibly disturbing, but such important information. And it ends on a hopeful note, pointing the way to communal responses that can counter disaster capitalism and corporatism.