Analysing climate migration dynamics in the Caribbean through the Iota hurricane: Shock doctrine, capitalism of disasters and development

Abstract

In recent years, there is evident capitalism of disasters that continues to strengthen in the Caribbean. Migration and the status of climate and environmental refugees hide the persistent and historical land grabbing. Understanding this situation is possible by comparing the ways in which different countries suffered the impact of Hurricane Iota in November 2020. There is evidence of land appropriation, control, and territorial intervention strategies associated with certain types of impositions on how development is defined and carried out. Five key elements of this capitalism of disasters are compared to show similarities and differences between countries, as trends that can be glimpsed under the advancement of this perpetual accumulation of wealth and land. While exacerbating the vulnerability of the environment and complex local cultures that are perfect subjects for displacement and migration. Capitalism of disasters or post-disasters is configured on the basis of the shock doctrine, which, as Naomi (Klein, The shock doctrine. Random House of Canada, Canada, 2007) explains, is consolidated with the ideas presented by Milton Friedman, to strengthen free market capitalism and the world economy. Key elements organized in three waves of neoliberalism, as examples of how the shock doctrine has been applied. Certain actors increasingly use the opportunity of shock, from which fear emerges. It works perfectly to impose what is necessary to continue the consolidation of that system.