The Battle for Paradise: Puerto Rico Takes on the Disaster Capitalists
by Naomi Klein
Ocober 23, 2020 — Ocober 24, 2020
Los Angeles, CA
This was an interesting and powerful short read that presents a country being torn between hedgefund managers, millionaire crypto-traders, and other wealthy capitalist elites vs. the small farmers, poor locals, and other citizens of Puerto Rico. With two sides trying to build what they consider a utopia, one side wants to create Puerto Rico into a tax haven and increase privatization while the other side wants to keep their home and preserve locality. I found it crazy how Puerto Rico is being used as a US national “rat lab” where private companies have a canvas to test the boldest and riskiest “ideas.” Literally, neo-colonization, with what’s going on it seems an even newer form of colonization is being created/introduced: countries for sale, cash accepted. Furthermore, it’s a place where disaster occurs and a clear example of climate change impacting people, the response to the extreme state of shock the people have endured is being exploited through desperation, distraction, despair, and disappearance, The disaster capitalists that descend on Puerto Rico reinforce the trauma by exploiting the experience of helplessness. A dilemma I kept on thinking about throughout the book relates to the aspect of privatization and the quality of life.
Clearly, privatization is hurting Puerto Rico. However, why did it benefit Dubai and Singapore, both countries that were extremely poor in the past? I’ve always discussed the importance of governance in my research and majlis talks, and I think this might be part of the answer: is that Puerto Rico, unlike other nations that rose up, lacks effective governance and does not hold self-determination. In Puerto Rico’s case, the worse things get, the stronger the case for privatization becomes; creating this cycle of self-destruction.
I was fascinated with how the locals have managed to overcome challenges in agriculture, education, and climate change with their decentralized model and self-reliance. The concept of using agroecological farming, in particular, caught my eye. It’s impressive and the people deserve admiration for their work. While the people are happy with their local progress, it raises a question of how well are they actually living with their programs and progress, and at what standard? While happiness is important, it does not factor in human development. But, I guess it comes down to the people’s agenda. Not every nation cares to build global economic hubs, world-class standards of living, and hold international landmarks. Some want to live decently, happily and get by without problems. This is definitely a topic that I’ve begun writing about in my journal and will have to think about more.