Klein’s book is a thorough and passionate study of the effect of globalization, focusing on the rise of mega-brands and the devastating effect this has had on labor conditions, international trade and freedom of speech and space. She does not shy away from highlighting the culpability of our western consumerist drive in fueling the exploitation of sweatshop labor, yet even from the beginning Klein is not a merely finger-pointing pessimist, but clearly focuses on the stirring the embers of resistance sparking into the fight against global corporatism. I took comfort in the few reference of Australia, the success of the Sydney ‘Reclaim the Streets’, Marrickville councils boycott of Burmese products and the closing down of McDonalds in Newtown, and though I am sadden that I missed such events I am encouraged to create my own.
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‘They are instead challenging systems of centralized power on principle, as critical of left-wing, one-size-fits-all state solutions as of right-wing ones. It is often said disparagingly that this movement lacks ideology, an overarching message, a master plan. This is absolutely true, and we should be extraordinarily thankful.’
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