“Shock Doctrine” Enables Post-Hurricane Privatization in Puerto Rico
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, leaving citizens vulnerable to the ‘shock doctrine,’ which is when leaders use a time of tragedy to force privatization. An article by Reed Richardson, published by FAIR, notes that the governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, has used the “shock doctrine playbook” to push privatization of schools and the island’s power utility. Naomi Klein introduced the term in her 2007 book, The Shock Doctrine. Many are unable to afford schooling and power, yet privatization is profitable for government and business.