Shock Therapy

Most economics students know the late Milton Friedman as an energetic booster of the free-market system. But to Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, who appears tonight and tomorrow to benefit KGNU radio, he was a considerably more sinister figure — a theorist whose...

By Michael Roberts

December 6, 2007

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Most economics students know the late Milton Friedman as an energetic booster of the free-market system. But to Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, who appears tonight and tomorrow to benefit KGNU radio, he was a considerably more sinister figure — a theorist whose philosophies have been employed to tremendously hurtful effect in the wake of countless calamities.

Friedman believed that crises allow policymakers to institute sweeping changes that would have been politically untenable otherwise. In Klein's view, however, most of the alleged reforms pushed through following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and other startling events have worsened, rather than improved, situations — and the evidence she provides is often compelling. Unfortunately, she tends to overreach at times, linking Friedman's guiding principles to just about everything that's ever angered progressives, from the Iraq War to the use of torture. Klein portrays Uncle Miltie as a veritable Albert Speer when there's plenty of blame to go around.

Klein speaks at 7 p.m. tonight at the First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder, and at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Avenue. Tickets are $10 for KGNU listener members, $15 for the general public. Learn more at 303-449-4885 or www.kgnu.org.
Sat., Dec. 8, 7 p.m., 2007

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo