Disaster capitalism refers to the practice of profiting from crises, such as natural disasters, wars, or economic upheavals. In these situations, private companies often step in to provide services or rebuild infrastructure, sometimes prioritizing profit over the needs of affected communities. This can lead to the privatization of public resources and services, which may not always benefit the local population.
The term was popularized by author Naomi Klein in her book, "The Shock Doctrine." She argues that governments and corporations exploit moments of chaos to implement controversial policies or reforms that would be difficult to achieve under normal circumstances. This can result in long-term consequences for vulnerable populations.