The Shock Doctrine. The Barbarism and Primitivism of Deregulated Capitalism

History is an entangled topic. It also is a multi-layered one. Historic events may seem linear with clear cause-and-effect chains at first glance, but beneath there are other layers that shape and influence them.

For one reason or another, canonic history, that is taught in schools and universities is presented in a very one-sided, shallow way, that is incomplete on the least and plain deceiving on the most. Unfortunately, it is history that has been used as one of the major instruments of propaganda and manipulation, by distorting and editing it, so that it suits the ideology and views of governments and regimes.

American history books have been revised more than a dozen times in the last century. And our history, for the Bulgarian people, is a subject of debates, controversies and much uncertanties, as it has also been distorted by manipulative regimes in the past for centuries in a row. History in the span of centuries and millenias back could be a tricky subject to stitch and unearth, for obvious reasons. However, the extent of distortion of the very recent history just shocks the observer.

I am rendered speachless and stunt at the depths of propaganda and manipulation that is infused in our knowledge of events that have occurred just in the last half a century. Every official version is a load of manipulation, everyone is hypocrite, cynicism is the norm and all complex variations of human behavior stemming from the basic instincts are cultural standards even for the most "advanced".

It is a pitty that the present is never able to see itself as incomplete and backwards from the viewpoint of the future. So that is why "advanced societies" throughout history have always thought that they were at the top of cultural perfection and people continue to think like this today.

I want to share a video and the book, that it is based on. The book is titled The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. Here is the official website. It explores the barbarism, cynicism and primitive ways of imposing change to societies.

Change that does not benefit "ordinary" people, but corporations. Change, that presents itself as advanced and freedom-bringing, but in reality, it has a degrading effect and reverts societies back into feudal-like models of highly uneaqually distributed super-rich and super-poor. These are the effects of deregulated capitalism. It is barbaric simply because humans are too primitive still and are unable to regulate themselves rationally. That is why a deregulated "free" market of pure capitalism is a highly unhealthy model that has a highly erosive effect on its host society. As we can very well see this in practice all over the world.

The more I live, the more I realize that this world is guided not only by primitivity, but unbelievable doses of irrationality. Not to mention that the very definition of "sanity" gets more and more doubtful all in regards to the extent of irrationality that world leaders implement in their actions. And actions driven purely out of selfishness are also irrational, because you cannot be selfish in a system that is interdependent and where if one element is unstable, all other elements will suffer from it. And so on. It is a crazy world. Not just playfully crazy, but seriously insane. It can be seriously argued against the current standards of "sanity", as well as the current standard approaches in "curing" "sanity" divergences. It is all business. RX generation, manipulated, abused and stupified.

I highly recommend watching the documentary and the book must be at least twice as good, in terms of an "eye opener" for all those other hidden layers behind the official façade of history. The very recent history. The history of Capitalism and in parts experimental psychology. In this line of thought, as complimentary for yet more layers and perspectives, I recommend watching

• The Century of the Self (2002)
• The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2004)

Here are two previous articles in this blog, with more videos provoking thought and convention, conventional propaganda that is. Do browse through the "Recent Posts" section on the right side bar for more.

• Freedom or Delusion? The Feudal Elements in Modern Capitalism
• The Invisible Enslavement Of Debt Economics..

And here is the Shock Doctrine documentary:

So, am I the only one who holds the opinion that all these economists, experimental psychologists and dictatorship-training agencies should be declared psychopatic, inhumane and be held accountable for crimes against humanity?

There is Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. Those three are all beautiful in theory and highly distorted in practice. It seems that neither alone is the best, maybe the best version would be a syncretic one between them all. A Social Democracy with rationally balanced state regulation and free market policy. Rationality and other higher cultural values are missing from the picture so far.

In this barbaric world of freaks and sub-human creatures, filled with lies and hypocricy. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.

Observe. Think. Make your conclusions. Wake up.

Freedom or Delusion? The Feudal Elements in Modern Capitalism. Enslaved by Debt-Based Economics. A Wake Up Call on the Verge of a Revolution and/or Total Collapse

Shilled into Capitalistic ideology. We, modern people, tend to think that Feudalism is a thing of the past. That today in our advanced societies we enjoy freedoms and rights, not accessible to our unfortunate predecessors. Yes, today individuals in modern societies do enjoy new-found freedoms that were unthinkable before. Like gender equality, right to assembly and public protests, freedom to express your opinion, to trade and generally live your life the way you feel like living it. Of course, all those freedoms and rights do come with certain clauses and prepositions attached. The truth is, that all of the above are still emerging and although constitutionally accepted, those rights are not fully applied in practice. They are more or less fictional and formal, even though the average consumer may not see it this way. Perhaps, the biggest illusion in today’s world is that there is a Democracy. When in reality, there is Capitalism, which is the modern form of Feudalism.

History is a complex and entangled topic. But in history are the roots that laid today’s world. Due to a complexity of reasons, USA, with its economic ideology of Capitalistic prosperity and the American Dream, has placed itself as a world standard for social advancement, serving as an example for emerging economies. And despite all of its numerous flaws, a lot of governments do strive to follow in its footsteps, including ours, here in Bulgaria. Which I find a wrong thing to do. Indeed, whether due to a lack of alternatives or because of the short-sightedness of people in power, American Capitalism and US society had established as a world role model. But, hasn't this role model proved to be wrong?

In reality, USA was a land of prosperity and freedom, in the past. Today, it has turned into a highly exploitative system that completely excludes the “social” element and a global military aggressor. United States sits on old glory, because today’s reality is much different than the image they still project onto the world. In fact, USA is the world leader in hypocrisy and cynicism. Reprimanding corrupt foreign governments, when the US government works for corporations, instead for the people. Speaking against terrorism and military aggression, when the US foreign policy is one of the most terror-oriented and aggressive in the world. Talking about Global Warming and environment preservation, when US corporations are some of the major pollutants and destroyers of environment both on US territory and abroad.

Abusing non-renewable resources, as if the end of the world is just around the corner. Producing enormous amounts of waste, both organic and synthetic, that spill into rivers, oceans and all nature. The entire concept of perpetually expanding economic growth is wrong and unsustainable. A virtual economic prosperity, that still remains unexposed, but will not remain like this forever. Why virtual? Because, it is debt-based.

It is a strange thing that USA imports much more, than they export. Yet, Americans can afford a rather higher standard of life on the average. This is a controversy. And this is where the American credit system comes in the scene.

The land of the debt, where the average citizen has 8 credit cards and about a thousand dollars of debt on each one of those plastics. Americans are spending beyond their means and this situation puts American economy ahead of its actual GDP, thus this higher standard of living is somewhat artificially created with a lot of blink. The average American has higher rate of spending, than making money.

There are much unhealthy elements in the way US society ended up being set. Not to mention high rates of obesity, probably highest in the world, and GMO food treated with highly toxic chemicals (produced by Monsanto, the same Monsanto who produced Agent Orange for the Vietnam war) with side effects yet to be established, such as endocrine disruptive ones, both for humans and animals alike.

It may seem a great thing to be American, but is this only the façade? Behind the glamour there are shady mechanisms at work. Liberty, it seems, has been lost somewhere on the way.

Americans, today, are enslaved by corporations and banks. Banks lure people in taking credits with overwhelming advertisements, great offers and discounts, counting on the average person’s ignorance. Terms and clauses are intentionally complicated and written so that contracts be as less clear to the consumer as possible. Government, on the other hand, makes sure it keeps propaganda up, motivating society to be good consumers. However, the average American doesn’t make enough money to be that good a consumer, that is why they need to spend on credit, in order to fulfill the consumer-quota required from them. Modern consumerism, on the whole, is based on deception and misleading. A legalized fraud. Unfortunately, this model propagates itself overseas as well. For instance, here in Bulgaria, six years ago there were no mortgage credits, there were no credit advertisements on TV and on street banners. And today, already there are lots and lots of people in debt, caught in the spider web of banks and debt economics.

Banks use various strategies to keep their customers well in debt. They gladly would refinance your mortgage, so that you may fail to pay it off this time. They would even reprimand you, if you pay off your credit too fast. They don’t like you when you pay on time, thus avoiding interest. Ideally, banks want you to make minimal monthly payments forever. And, don’t worry, you can always go bankrupt and balance out your credit bills.

While, I’m not sure if all that bank credit system is such a bad thing after all. Since, if there were no credits available to the average working individual, the whole consumer-based society wouldn’t be possible. Not at these rates at least. But, what about the social side-effects of this aggressive Capitalism? What about the continuing and growing trends of inhumane practices of corporations, like sweatshops and death salaries? And what about the complete lack of care about the environment? What about taking responsibility for future generations yet unborn? What legacy are “we” leaving to them? A shattered and poisoned world? Why sustainable economy and renewable production is kept only in theory? Why are corporations waiting for the last drop of oil to dry out, in order to really invest in those new technologies? Greed is a great barrier to social advancement. Among other primitive behavioral patterns of human beings.

What about the growing inequality between rich and poor? Is the middle class diminishing? Where will that lead? Isn’t it time to officially declare Capitalism a mistake and move forward? Or is it that people must change their mindset first, in order that we move forward.

The presumption of constantly expanding economy is just irrational, not to mention unsustainable, and it will inevitably turn into a black hole, crushing down under its own weight

In one speech of his, J.W.Bush says that “Americans enjoy economic independence” Wow, I was truly stunned by this outlandish conclusion, what’s more, the sitting crowds in front of him actually clapped their hands joyfully. Amazing. It is amazing how much appreciation empty words can bring about. Of course, manipulative governments all around the world knew that effect long ago Bush was even born.

Title: Maxed Out

I do agree that people's own ignorance and lack of rational thought is the main reason to find themselves in such debt-overwhelmed situations. The banks having lied and deceived them into taking the bait is another element, but not really the main one. I mean, do live within your means people or at least close to it. Time to realize that the American Dream is not wealth that simply falls from the sky, it's about opportunities to earn. However, such opportunities are to be found all over the world today, so it's an old concept overall. And what about Liberty?

It is a strange thing that there are a lot of movies, articles and analyses over the past decades raising those issues and yet as if all of them are somehow kept on the background, shut and silenced with very little public attention drawn to them, like some kind of dissidents that are unfavorable to the ruling government, because, well, they are too objective and speak the truth. Preposterous.  Here is another documentary related to Freedom and Liberty in USA that I recommend watching, some of the regulations that it criticizes are truly disturbing. Like the ban on growing vegetable in your back yard. I mean, this is a fundamental human right to grow food on Earth, banned. Crazy world. 

Title: The End of Liberty (2010)

You can watch it here. 

And another one, examining this transition in a historical restrospection and embarking on quite a provoking trip in search of answers from some of the most notorious US institutions. Nearly a century later.. US society still walks oblivious to all this. Watch the following documentary, it is highly recommended and spread the word. Stand up and fight, for your freedom, for your rights!

Title: America: From Freedom to Fascism (2006) 


What we see in the above documentary is just gruesome. It is shocking and deeply, deeply disturbing. So ridiculous when people say that "USA is the freest country." Umh, think again. This sounds like the "Americans enjoy economic independence" line of Bush's. Utter and complete hot air words with absolutely no resonance in reality. Yeah, the truth is that Liberty in United States died at the beginning of the 20^th Century and it is up to people now to resurrect it back. Say no to self-imposed ignorance! Informed and intelligent is cool. Dumbness is dull (not to mention highly manipulative). Wake up people.

• A Personal Revelation on the IRS from Sherry Peel Jackson
• Wake Up. It's time for the FED to go, USA and the world will gradually settle to be a much better place after those highly exploitative institutions are abolished from society 
• Here's what happened with the abovementioned whistleblower, because she was not backed by society! US Society = the flock of IRS and the FED.
• Abolish the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Sign the Petition

Title: Stupidity (2003)    

"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a mad man or an economist" Kenneth Boulding