Naomi Klein Strikes Back at Critics of Her 'Shock Doctrine' Book

By Naomi Klein, NaomiKlein.com. Posted September 11, 2008.

Responding to critics from the libertarian Cato institute and The New
Republic.

One year ago, I set off on a book tour to promote The Shock Doctrine.
The plan was for it to last three months, quite long by publishing
standards. Twelve months later, it is still going. But this has been
no ordinary book tour. Everywhere I have traveled- from Calgary,
Alberta to Cochabamba, Bolivia -- I have heard more stories about how
shock strategies have been used to impose unwanted pro-corporate
policies. I have also been part of stimulating debates and discussions
about how the current round of crises -- oil, food, financial markets,
heavy weather -- can be transformed into opportunities for progressive
change.

And there have been other kinds of responses too. The Shock Doctrine
is a direct attack on the intellectuals and institutions that have
disseminated corporatist ideology around the world. When I wrote...