Understanding Power
By Noam Chomsky
- Release Date: 2002-02-01
- Genre: Public Administration
Description
Noam Chomsky is universally accepted as one of the preeminent public intellectuals of the modern era. Over the past thirty years, broadly diverse audiences have gathered to attend his sold-out lectures. Now, in Understanding Power, Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel have assembled the best of Chomsky’s recent talks on the past, present, and future of the politics of power.
In a series of enlightening and wide-ranging discussions, all published here for the first time, Chomsky radically reinterprets the events of the past three decades, covering topics from foreign policy during Vietnam to the decline of welfare under the Clinton administration. And as he elucidates the connection between America’s imperialistic foreign policy and the decline of domestic social services, Chomsky also discerns the necessary steps to take toward social change. With an eye to political activism and the media’s role in popular struggle, as well as U.S. foreign and domestic policy, Understanding Power offers a sweeping critique of the world around us and is definitive Chomsky.
Characterized by Chomsky’s accessible and informative style, this is the ideal book for those new to his work as well as for those who have been listening for years.
Reviews
Thought proving and revelatory
5By simon finkleAs a collection of talks and Q&As, I found Understanding Power to be one of Chomsky’s most accessible books. There were plenty of moments where I was completely shocked by what he was saying and frankly in disbelief, but the most incredible thing about this book is how everything is sourced and listed at UnderstandingPower.com , a whopping 449 pages worth of sources. Truly one of the greatest intellectual minds of the last century.great intro to Chomsky
5By soulmonkeydudeThis is an overview of many of Chomsky's ideas that would be a great intro to anyone interested in his work. It's in question/answer format and covers a very wide range of topics. The footnotes also refer to a website that has more detailed material on the topics covered.
