Documentary: The Shock Doctrine

Posted on by

MEDIA ROOTS — Film director Michael Winterbottom has adapted best-selling author Naomi Klein’s book Shock Doctrine in an excellent feature documentary.  Winterbottom, who has directed such films as Welcome to Sarajevo, The Road to Guantanamo and Code 46, produces a compelling treatment of Klein’s book.

The shock doctrine thesis maintains elites have taken draconian shock therapy ‘treatments’ (inflicted upon individual psychiatric patients during the 20th century) and applied them economically, politically, and psychologically to nations where leaders have exploited crises in order to push through elite policies against the interests of the people.  

The film also takes a look at U.S. imperialism and its consequences for humanity.  If you haven’t heard of it, it’d be no surprise.  This is not the kind of film corporate America loves to promote.

Messina

***

The Shock Doctrine directed by Michael Winterbottom

“The thesis of the shock doctrine is that we’ve been sold a fairy tale about how these radical policies have swept the globe, that they haven’t swept the globe on the backs of freedom and democracy, that they have needed shock.  They have needed crises.  They have needed states of emergencies. 

“Milton Friedman understood the utility of crisis.  ‘Only a crisis, actual or perceived, produces real change.  When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around.’Naomi Klein

***

Photo by Flickr user david_shankbone

One thought on “Documentary: The Shock Doctrine

Leave a Reply

RELATED NEWS

  • Empire Files: The Hidden War on Trans Rights
  • Media Roots Radio: Interview with Kelly Jones on Custody Wars & the Bizarre Transformation of Alex Jones
  • 7 Must Watch Empire Files Reports From Palestine
  • Human Rights Hypocrisy – Colombia vs. Venezuela
  • WORLD NEWS

  • Empire Files Podcast: A Russian Anti-War Perspective on Ukraine
  • Media Roots Radio: Hollywood Gets Tough On Putin, Ukraine Scorched Earth Info War, Banning Russia
  • Media Roots Radio: RIP RT America, The End of An Era
  • Media Roots Radio: Revenge of the Kagans, DOD’s 11 Ukrainian Bio Labs, 60 Mins Targeted Individuals, Havana Reviews
  • Media Roots Radio: Fog of Cold War, Sitting Duck Op, Doomsday Clock 100 Seconds to Midnight
  • Abby Martin Confronts Nancy Pelosi Over Pentagon Spending at COP26
  • Media Roots Radio: Cure For Havana Syndrome & Info War Against Cuba w/ Alan MacLeod
  • Empire Files Podcast: Colombia On Fire w/ Student Leader From Protest Epicenter
  • Empire Files: Debunking Israel’s ‘Human Shield’ Defense in Gaza Massacre
  • Media Roots Radio: Gaza Under Attack Again, Operation Prison Wall Guardian & Alt-Media Zionism
  • Empire Files Podcast: #SaveSheikhJarrah: The Fight for East Jerusalem
  • Media Roots Radio: Mother of All Afghanistan Podcasts, Sex Cults & Cop Trials
  • Empire Update w/ Abby Martin: Arctic War, Aid to Israel Challenge, Army VR Money Pit
  • Empire Files: US Retreats From Afghanistan: Truth Behind The Empire’s Defeat
  • Empire Files: Uganda Dictatorship: Imperialism’s Pearl of Africa