by Alex February 26, 2005
(POLICY) an extreme form of capitalism created in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. In some cases, as in Chile (1973), the disaster is a coup d'etat with the express purpose of imposing disaster capitalism. In other cases, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it is a genuine natural disaster that literally kills.
After some disasters, the authorities in some countries may well respond by imposing "reforms" that would have been impossible before. These include: (1) privatization of public property, making it unavailable to the indigenous people; (2) arbitrary elimination of laws ("deregulation"); and (3) slashing democratically chosen programs that help ordinary citizens ("austerity programs").
The concept was popularized in Naomi Klein's excellent 2007 book, *The Shock Doctrine*.
After some disasters, the authorities in some countries may well respond by imposing "reforms" that would have been impossible before. These include: (1) privatization of public property, making it unavailable to the indigenous people; (2) arbitrary elimination of laws ("deregulation"); and (3) slashing democratically chosen programs that help ordinary citizens ("austerity programs").
The concept was popularized in Naomi Klein's excellent 2007 book, *The Shock Doctrine*.
"Disaster capitalism" is neoliberalism imposed undemocratically. It exploits natural disasters, civil wars, foreign invasions, coups d'etat, terrorism, or explicit deception. It always seeks to make its changes irreversible.
Naomi Klein mostly blames the International Monetary Fund, but there are other culprits as well.
Naomi Klein mostly blames the International Monetary Fund, but there are other culprits as well.
by Abu Yahya July 10, 2010
The official and legal definition for the death penalty. It is usually the reward for most high-class felonies, such as first-degree murder, rape, etc. In the United States, it is usually carried out by means of lethal injection, but other places in the world still use methods such as firing squad, hanging, and electric chair. Some countries and states have been known to have banned the practice because of its gruesome nature.
In 2005, Stanley Tookie Williams, one of the founders of the Crips gang was awarded Capital Punishment for three counts of first degree murder and larceny. He's probably in hell now.
by publicprosecutor25431 January 13, 2011
by the_nuge September 18, 2006
the ability to compel a vote or favor in the political arena as a result of a previously extended favor which debt is thus repaid
An example of political capital is the ability of a chairman of a committee to garner a members vote by reminding the member of the favor of letting the member have a hearing on a bill which bill was important to the member but which bill is of no intrest to the chairman
by e rucker September 29, 2006
It Mean's Bitch,but not just that it mean's mega bitch.A woman who act's like she has a stick in her ass every day.
by La Plata High school November 15, 2011
Person # 1 - " I don't know man, she is kinda fugly."
Person # 2 - " Yea, but she has capital knockers."
Person # 2 - " Yea, but she has capital knockers."
by Rabbid K9 May 09, 2011