The Shock Doctrine

About “The Shock Doctrine”

The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is a 2007 book by Naomi Klein that examines how neoliberal policies have been advanced through the exploitation of crises. Klein argues that governments and corporations use disasters or upheavals to implement controversial economic reforms when people are distracted or overwhelmed. She links this strategy to events like the Iraq War, suggesting that such conflicts were used to push through unpopular policies. The book was met with mixed reviews, with some critics finding it overly simplified and others praising its insight. It also inspired a 2009 documentary film of the same name.