The Shock Doctrine
-The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
By Naomi Klein
2007
This U.S./Multinational economics book looks at conservative business practices from Pinochet to Iraq. It is definitely written to be supportive of acurrent nti-war efforts. The unintended relevance of the book, published just before the last election cycle, to this current crisis is quite large, and the basis of my recommendation.
Klein is very much the activist, writing regularly for the 'The Nation' and 'The Guardian'. The book is written for this core audience, but she, and her brother Seth, are trained in econ and her voice, over the course of the book, makes a strong case for Keynesian economics and a balance between the private and public sectors.
But make no mistake, she doesn't like Milton Friedman and his Reagan era supply side economics. Klein's arguments are solid, though still debatable, and a must for consideration by anyone following modern events.
One question of mine - were the various schemes documented by Klein all hatched over alcholic drinks? If so, and you buy a portion of Klein's 'Shock Doctrine' argument, it would certainly expand the damage done by the 'typical' abusive drinker...
