This is how it works - shocking. And propaganda.

[Craig234]

Most here know I recommend the book "The Shock Doctrine" for a number of things it has to say. Its central point is how people in power who want to do unpopular things sneak them in in time of crisis.

It's one of those things most have never notice, they aren't aware there are people who do this, but when someone explains it, and presents many examples, it's a good political technique to learn it done.

It also exposes some of the ruthlessness behind the people who often do it - for the bases of motives, to spread policies of greed for the few by impoverishing the many. It might even push someone more lberal.

So, it gets discussed in history - with a recent example being Katrina, when a massive right-wing agenda was pushed during the crisis, much of which was adopted.

I've long said right-wing 'think tanks', appropriately a dishonest and misleading name, are basically entities whose function is to 'sell rightwing-policies benefitting the rich', with propaganda mostly.

Not surprisingly, they're just the groups to have unpopular policies of greed just waiting for crises in which to use the Shock Doctrine.

Now we have Haiti. And yes, it's started.

This isn't the best example, in that it's such an incredibly poor nation there's not much money at stake, but that doesn't stop it. Watch it happen.

It sounds so innocuous - everyone agrees Haiti is a disaster, so make some general references to 'this being a good chance to help the dsfunctional government' that are very agreeable.

But put the right-wing agenda as the actual plan.

Here's a link with Naomi Klein, the author of the book, noting the Heritage Foundation raising its head for the Haiti crisis.

Long after the fact, we might look back and criticize their policy. Now, it's easy to go with. It's a crisis. People say they hate 'politicizing a crisis', but will they really be upset over this 'shock doctrine' activity?

http://www.commondreams.org/further/2010/01/14-1

Check the Katrina history on her web site for better documentation about this being done.

 

[totalnoob]

Given that they had a completely disfunctional and undeveloped economy, I think a few corporate jobs and imports of modern technology might do them some good. With an average income of $2 per day before the quake (and certainly less now), they don't exactly have much to lose do they?

 

[monovillage]

Sounds like what happened with the "crisis" about Global Warming, greenhouse gases, carbon footprints and the end of the world as we know it. So yeah, crisis driven politics suck.

 

[Craig234]

Sounds like what happened with the "crisis" about Global Warming, greenhouse gases, carbon footprints and the end of the world as we know it. So yeah, crisis driven politics suck.

Thanks, but even if you were right that Global Warming is Al Gore's evil plot to ruin the planet, it's not the same thing. The 'shock' factor doesn't last for decades of scientists to review the issue, etc.

The shock refers to something that makes people vulnerable to accept things they don't otherwise. Some are natural, some are man-made - the same technique was used in Iraq right after the invasion.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Sounds like what happened with the "crisis" about Global Warming, greenhouse gases, carbon footprints and the end of the world as we know it. So yeah, crisis driven politics suck.

For some they certainly do, for others, it's an opportunity.

The truth is, green is the future wether you like it or not and for mankind, that will introduce new problems while it gets rid of old problems.

Eventually we'll just die off as a species and return to the earth what we have taken from it, see, energy cannot be created nor destroyed, just conserved for a while.

 

[soccerballtux]

How dare we help them compete in the global economy.

 

[Craig234]

For some they certainly do, for others, it's an opportunity.

The truth is, green is the future wether you like it or not and for mankind, that will introduce new problems while it gets rid of old problems.

Eventually we'll just die off as a species and return to the earth what we have taken from it, see, energy cannot be created nor destroyed, just conserved for a while.

There's an interesting book somewhat related by Thom Hartmann called "Last hours of ancient sunshine".

That poetic sounding title literally refers to energy, explaining that man's need for energy through history has always been met by current, disposable use of sunlight - like growing crops.

In the meantime, the energy of sunshine was captured for millions of years by plants and animals and trapped in a one-time, finite resource of oil - capturing the power of 'ancient sunshine'.

In modern times, man's energy needs have exceeded current sunlight and he's been using up the stored energy, the oil, the coal. His point is about those at some point running out and there being no more.

People can argue about nuclear as an alternative for example, but I like the way he discussed the issue.

Here's an interesting review, pretty pessimistic about billions starving around 2050:

http://www.foundationwebsite.org/OnThomHartmann.htm

 

[Cattykit]

Given that they had a completely disfunctional and undeveloped economy, I think a few corporate jobs and imports of modern technology might do them some good. With an average income of $2 per day before the quake (and certainly less now), they don't exactly have much to lose do they?

That's what the book seems to be about (I've not read it so I'm not sure). Sort of something like 'loan-shark tactic.' Say you're in desparate need of money for some reasons; I, the loan-shark in this case, lend you some money with outrageous tags attached to it. In normal circumstances, you wouldn't even think about taking that offer. However, you're just damn desparate hence your logic gets replaced with false hopes.
I could claim that I saved you from such a terrible diseaster which is true. However, in the end, you become my slave. If you feel good that I helped you, fed you, and gave you shelter, it only means I've successfully made you disfunctional. BTW, such tatic is commnly being used in poor countries for turning poor girls into prostitues. It also reminds me of WorldBank and IMF.

 

[Craig234]

That's what the book seems to be about (I've not read it so I'm not sure). Sort of something like 'loan-shark tactic.' Say you're in desparate need of money for some reasons; I, the loan-shark in this case, lend you some money with outrageous tags attached to it. In normal circumstances, you wouldn't even think about taking that offer. However, you're just damn desparate hence your logic gets replaced with false hopes.
I could claim that I saved you from such a terrible diseaster which is true. However, in the end, you become my slave. If you feel good that I helped you, fed you, and gave you shelter, it only means I've successfully made you disfunctional. BTW, such tatic is commnly being used in poor countries for turning poor girls into prostitues. It also reminds me of WorldBank and IMF.

The book started as describing two things - the history of breaking people, prisoners, torture, how it affects people, terrible experiments, includng some things carried into the Iraq war; and the analogous disorientation of entire cultures, when shocking things happen whether natural or man-made, a tyrant seizing power and terrorizing the population. Both are shocks allowing for introducing things.

It expanded as she wrote it into a broader history, correlating it with Milton Friedman's influence in countries, starting with Indonesia, through examples like Chile.

It makes clear that economic policies that benefit the rich the public won't acept democratically are implemented through policies of terror.

When you look at what the original plans were for a right-wing economy created in Iraq, it fits well. It was aborted by the insurgency's strength. No Chalabi-led US puppet right-wing economic paradise.

On the IMF and world bank, there's good reading from Joseph Stiglitz and others, but check out "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" and "A game as old as empire".