{mosimage} Dec. 1, 2008 (Truth To Power) -- Since many months before the November election, Truth to Power
has been researching and informing readers regarding the fundamental
underpinnings of Barack Obama's agenda and his likely appointments in
the areas of economic, foreign policy, and energy issues. Not only have
I written several pieces on the topic, so have a variety of other
researchers. In reviewing our reporting, what has remained consistent
and therefore validates it, is Obama's adherence to neoliberal,
globalist policies couched in the rhetoric of "change" but offering no
substantial departure from the ultimate strategies of imperialism,
corporate capitalist supremacy, and almost total ignorance (or
ignore-ance) of the energy and environmental suicide perpetuated by
endless growth.
Some would argue that the United States government is somewhat like a
sophisticated 747 airliner, the controls of which cannot simply be
turned over to individuals who have no knowledge of flying, but must be
steered by experts who have only earned such a title by way of their
expertise as former airline pilots. Thus, the argument goes, we should
not criticize Obama for his appointments, particularly before he even
takes office and concretely demonstrates his commitment to the
perpetuation of the status quo. I will return to this notion below, but
first, a look at what I consider one of the most stunning pieces of
research so far in the twenty-first century, Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. I cannot recommend Shock Doctrine highly enough for a multi-layered understanding of the origin, evolution, and likely outcome of disaster capitalism.
Disaster Capitalism-Microcosm and Macrocosm
Disaster capitalism is according to Klein "...orchestrated raids on the
public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events, combined with the
treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities." It has
its origins in the "Chicago School" of economics made famous and
perpetuated for decades by University of Chicago economics professor, Milton Friedman,
who actually coined the phrase "shock treatment" to describe the
psychological pummeling of societies and individuals who might stand in
the way of or could be made more useful to the advancement of corporate
goals. One recent example was the dramatic use of shock and awe,
including using those very words to describe it, against the nation of
Iraq during the invasion by the United States in 2003. A more recent example to
which Klein devotes a great deal of attention is the devastation of New
Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina.
The endgame of disaster capitalism is the total privatization of what
have throughout American history been state services. Not surprisingly,
the ultimate outcome of unbridled disaster capitalism will be the
supplanting of government by corporations.
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