The Shock Doctrine: How Vulnerability and Fear Allows the Government to Control Its People
Naomi Klein describes the concept of the Shock Doctrine as a time in which public disorientation benefits the elites, by creating shocks to control its people. The Shock Doctrine is a strategic tool that corporations use to control the vulnerable during crises. Recent news reports show that Hawaii’s volcanic eruption in Kilauea is a current example of the Shock Doctrine. The Kilauea volcanic eruptions started on May 6, 2018 followed by two earthquakes, causing ten fissures on the ground. According to the New York Times, no one has been injured or died from this disaster. However, many residents who lived in proximity to the volcano experienced severe damage to their property, causing residents to lose their homes. Also, health issues have been arising due to the high levels of sulfur dioxide gas concentrated in the air. There are several health problems associated with volcanic sulfur dioxide causing serious eye, nose, and skin irritation. In addition, causing cough, headaches, and shortness of breath. Talmadge Magno, head of the Civil Defense Agency adds that if, “If you’ve got any respiratory issues, it could be deadly to you” and explains that inhaling the gas feels like “You’re burning.” (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/Hawaii-volcano-eruption.html )Researchers have not yet discovered the long-term effects of the exposure to volcanic sulfur dioxide. However, we do know that this gas is harmful. This disaster is an example of the Shock Doctrine because Hawaiian residents are in a vulnerable state that allows them to confide in its government for help. As Naomi Klein emphasizes, vulnerability is what potentially leads to the controlling of people.
In Naomi Klein book, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism she discusses Neoliberalism ideals. Neoliberalism is a theory of economics that transfers control of economic factors to the private sector from the public. Neoliberalism in its simplistic form is having a laissez-faire capitalism which emphasizes the absence of the government from interfering in the free market. Also, cutting public expenditure from social services like education and healthcare with its intention of reducing the government role. In addition, neoliberalism eliminates the concept of the public good and replaces it with individual responsibility (Martinez 1). The government does this with the attempt of pressuring the poorest people to find solutions to their own economic problems. The theory of Neoliberalism is practiced with the intention of allowing the private sector to have control over the economy. Although, the private sector does implement on allowing the people to have a will in what occurs in the economy it essentially, uses the people to benefit its own interests. The Shock Doctrine essentially evolved through Neoliberalism. Again, the shock doctrine main purpose is to create chaos within the world to led up to this shock. This shock itself can be a strategic weapon for having control over society.
Hawaii’s volcanic eruption, Kilauea is a current example of the Shock Doctrine because it emphasizes on this phenomenon of fear. Fear is essentially a guide that the government uses to create its shocks. Naomi Klein addresses that these shocks wear off, it is by far a “temporary state.” In order for the government to have control of its people they create new shocks through the use of media outlets to project greater chaos than reality. By creating greater chaos, not only does it create public disorientation, but it allows the government to have greater control over its people. The Kilauea volcanic eruption is a particular example of the Shock Doctrine because its not a typical disaster like Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, 9/11, and the Nopal Gas Leak. The Kilauea volcanic eruption is different because this natural disaster was unavoidable. However, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy could’ve been less detrimental if the government created from the start, stronger infrastructure. Also, 9/11 is still a mystery because many believe that George Bush intentionally created this public disorientation to have control over its people. This is still unknown. Lastly, the Nopal Gas Leak could’ve be avoided if the company had stricter regulations especially, since this business contained deadly toxins. Within these recent weeks, the government takes control of its people by subtly updating them about its current state of being. Constantly informing the public, creates shocks because it leaves people feeling helpless over their situation making them more vulnerable. After reviewing multiple New York Times articles, I’ve noticed that the media reiterates a lot of the same information and they do this with the intention of emphasizing the effects of the disaster on the public. However, the media not only creates fear among its residents but also, gains economic control by using this volcanic phenomenon to attract tourists. In addition, New York Times recent article post, “Hawaii Eruptions Have Disrupted Tourism, but Fears May Be Exaggerated” suggests that this disaster isn’t as bad as it seems. (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/travel/hawaii-tourism-kilauea-volcano-eruption.html ) I think that the government and business are trying to convince the public that “it isn’t as bad is seems” because they are losing millions of dollars on people’s cancellation. Even the people emphasize that most of Hawaii revenue comes from tourists.
Up until this day, we see re-occurring problems of how disasters benefit economies. As long as disasters occur, there will always be public disorientation giving the government the opportunity to “help” those who feel hopeless. I came across an article that emphasized what the world needs to hear, it says “It needs to hear, that no matter what happens, no matter what is being planned by an elite that intends to maintain complete control no matter the costs, we must be vigilant to the truth, vigilant to love, and vigilant towards each other.” The only way to avoid shocks from occurring is asking in times of disaster for the flat-out truth of what is occuring. If not, we will live in this endless cycle of shocks benefiting the elites and effecting the poor. (https://medium.com/@david_e_larson/we-are-the-public-and-we-demand-the-truth-f6c22bb4ddf2)
Work Cited
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/Hawaii-volcano-eruption.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/travel/hawaii-tourism-kilauea-volcano-eruption.html
https://medium.com/@david_e_larson/we-are-the-public-and-we-demand-the-truth-f6c22bb4ddf2
Klein, Naomi. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. New York: Metropolitan/Henry Holt, 2007. Print.
Martinez, Elizabeth, and Arnold Garcia. “CorpWatch : What Is Neoliberalism? A Brief Definition of Activists.” CorpWatch : What Is Neoliberalism? Web. 21 July 2016.
