There’s a new book out by Naomi Klein called The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. In the book, Klein discusses the clean slate for privatization that is created when disaster strikes. The book covers the aftermath of Katrina, the Indonesian tsunami and Iraq. In each instance large corporations have stepped in and have privatized large sectors of the local economies (new private water networks and tourist resorts in Indonesia and the conversion of private housing into condos in New Orleans).
The book works to expose the agendas of multinational organizations and the restructuring of the world to meet their needs. There’s a great interview by Charlie Rose that delves into these issues.
In the aftermath of a war or natural disaster the shock of change is being used to push through unpopular policies. It’s important to take note of this phenomena to make certain that the needs of the community are being met in the aftermath of such destructive forces. For it’s the long-term health and economic viability of the community, and not the corporation, that make our cities sustainable.
