While watching an episode of the Colbert Report, there was an interview with a woman named Naomi Klein, who has written a book called The Shock Doctorine: The Rise of Disaster Capitolism.
The idea behind her book in a nutshell was that our government exploits disasters, or in some cases creates them, to further their power and control. This episode mainly focused on the recession, and it was obvious that both Klein and Colbert felt as though this novel rang true during this time, especially.
Perilous times, she argues, make societies more submissive- she listed Katrina, the invasion of Iraq, and the current recession among others as moments in time when the government used this oppurtunity of a crisis to give themselves more power. The Salem witch trials could have easily made the same list as the aforementioned examples, as the judges and the girl's who gave their testimony soon became the deciders of who lived and who died in their community. What I wish she had mentioned, and it seemed she was cut short, was what she suggested we as American citizens should do to try and stop this from happening in the future. Hopefully, like in Salem, the government's reach will eventually catch enough attention that it has to stop itself.
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I also saw this interview and when I saw it I was wanting more and wished I had seen it on another, more formal show where she could go more in depth. as much as I love colbert there are sometimes I wish he would cut the "colbert" act go more in depth in those interviews, but I suppose thats what the show is for. I think the reason that society becomes more submissive during perilous times is simply fear and uncertainty. the government is seen as a source of strength that can make those fears go away if they are given more power. Many times The fear people have during times of danger translates into a transfer of power to a single source that seems can deal with the problem.
I agree and it makes a lot of sense why this expanded authority is given during all of those examples of perilous times. The people's fear always eventually makes the community more submissive towards the government. It seems like people just hope the more power the government has the easier it will be for them to protect the people. And usually the people end up losing some of thier rights for thier own safety. The question is whether or not its truly worth it.
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