Structural criminality within the “collective shadow”: disaster capitalism and the globalization of ruling power

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand upon one theme in Richard Slaughter's The Biggest Wake Up Call in History (BWCH) – that of the “collective shadow.”

Design/methodology/approach

Along with Slaughter, the author contends that the denialism indicative of strong negative reactions to the publication of Limits to Growth since 1972 is part of a larger problem within the collective psyche that must be understood and confronted.

Findings

For the first time in history, largely due to the emergence of global consciousness and, more recently, the advent of the internet, it is conceivable that authentic global democracy could emerge as an alternate network power, which challenges the structural criminality within the collective shadow, as well as the secret rule of the Empire Power Elite.

Originality/value

This paper exposes structural criminality within the collective shadow, its relationship to the advent of disaster capitalism, and its role in the emergence of a global ruling class.

Citation

Morgan, D.R. (2013), "Structural criminality within the “collective shadow”: disaster capitalism and the globalization of ruling power", On the Horizon, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 247-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-05-2013-0019