Optimistic Conclusion: Increasing Awareness

Klein brings up the selfish and sad reality of ‘green zones’ and suggests that more and more areas are being contested by private interest as free market ideology reaches its zenith, to name a few: security, policing and rehabilitation, fire, health, urban planning. However, as in her novel No Logo, Klein ends on something of a positive note.

Whatever the significance, Friedman died in 2006. While the free market changes he fiercely advocated over his life created massive inequality, nowhere did this go unnoticed. Those involved in the repressive or violent free market reformations, leaders like Pinochet and bankers in some countries, are in some cases being held to account, in court. The farce of democratic intention and the reconstruction debacle in Iraq spurred worldwide outrage. Some ‘anti-neoliberal’ leaders are gaining strength, like Hugo Chavez in Venezuala and Frente Amplio in Uruguay. Indeed, the countries of Latin America increasingly refocus on nationalization, government funding, health care, and social services, their original developmentalism returning as the shock of disaster capitalism wears off.

Many countries are trying to gain control of their own financial future. Some countries are attempting to disengage from military and economic agreements with the US. Brazil, Nicaragua, Venezuala, and Argentina are all working on stepping out of the IMF, and refusing further funding. Ecuador openly accused the World Bank of legislative manipulation based on loans. Asian markets have avoided entanglement with the IMF since the fall of the Asian Tigers and are creating their own bi- and multi-national financial institution and exchanges. After the tsunami, there was some success by villagers in Thailand at reclaiming shore-land and rejecting foreign aid and reconstruction firms. After an attack by Israel, people in Lebanon protested against accepting international aid with free market conditionality; they turned instead to Hezbollah, whose funding – even if motivated by an ideology of its own – quickly achieved perceivable results for the people.

More and more people, Klein feels, are becoming aware of the pitfalls of free market thinking, its underlying motives, and the gap between its realisation and freedom, equality, or democracy. “The shock doctrine is losing its efficacy due to overuse, just as torture techniques wear off over time.” Some people and countries are seeking ways of helping themselves, and helping each other, rather than becoming dependent on international manipulation with a free market agenda.