In his book, theorist and activist Graham Jones explicitly leverages systems thinking to provide elegant, powerful, and precise proposals for progressive movements, including environmental campaigns. The Left’s Shock Doctrine.
This work has had some impact on the way environmentalists organize, work collectively, and respond positively to environmental, economic, and social crises that too often feel overwhelming. This provides a more philosophical basis for how systems theory can be applied to practical ‘motor force’ style organizations.
This article is part of: locomotion Series by The Ecologist.
William Harvey described the flow of nutrients in the blood of the human body as a system. Thomas Hobbes turned this to economics to create the first systems analysis of social phenomena. The term ‘shock doctrine’ is taken from Naomi Klein’s critique of neoliberalism and its exploitation of crises. Jones strives to learn from systems and system shocks to develop effective and ethical ways for communities to respond.
building
The purpose of the text is to provide a schema that humanity can use to move beyond climate breakdown and, more generally, the crisis of capitalism. Jones is practical and concise. He presents four modes of organization: destruction, construction, healing, and taming.
Smashing is already an action (or at least a vocabulary) associated with the traditional left. Jones does not deny that this is still necessary, even if the method of organization is inadequate. But rather than physical violence, Jones argues, both strikes and boycott campaigns are forms of destruction.
Just as important as smashing is building. “For our shock doctrine institutions to overcome neoliberal models, organizational resilience must improve,” Jones explains. This involves intense, focused community building and networking.
Then we move on to healing. It is here that Jones moves the old left into new territory. We see the impact of family therapy based on systems theory.
Jones argues that the systems of oppression that make neoliberal capitalism possible require and create trauma for both individuals and society. Healing means feeling, sharing, and processing this trauma. The need for emotions, including empathy for all individuals, rejects the repressive political approach of Jones’ shock doctrine.
realistic
Lastly, there is taming. Here Jones presents a new response to state institutions. He argues that the country cannot be brought down. Because this causes trauma and confusion. We cannot reform or ignore it. He suggests a different response. Change comes “by adjusting to small but growing shocks, each time increasing the power of people to organize beyond the state.”
The magic happens in the final chapter, ‘Meta Strategy’. Here, in true ‘systems’ style, Jones provides a simple flow chart. In the case of smashing, we see a ‘growth movement’ leading to ‘chaos’, then to ‘absorption’ and finally closing the loop to a ‘growth movement’. In taming we again see a ‘growing movement’, which now leads to ‘gaining legitimacy’, then to ‘reform’, and back again to a ‘growing movement’.
All four charts are then drawn together around a central phenomenon called ‘growing movement’. The strategies of breaking, building, healing, and taming are autonomous but also mutually reinforcing. Microsystems are perfectly nested within one metasystem.
that much The Left’s Shock Doctrine Practical, profound, short and essential. There is much to be gained from reading, re-reading, sharing, and adopting these ideas. Jones offers a new diagnosis and potential new solutions to the ecological crisis.
This author
Brendan Montague is the editor. Ecologist. This article is based on the first book review. resurrection and ecologist 2018 magazine. Currently published as part of the Movement Power series.
