Product Description

In this classic talk delivered at the Poetry Center, New York, on 16 February 1970, Noam Chomsky articulates a clear, uncompromising vision of social change. Chomsky contrasts the classical liberal, libertarian socialist, state socialist, and state capitalist world views and then defends a libertarian socialist vision as "the proper and natural extension of classical liberalism into the era of advanced industrial society." In his stirring conclusion Chomsky argues that the use of our material wealth and power is neither humane nor rational and he calls for radical change.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172681 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 76 pages

Customer Reviews

Short, to-the-point criticism of state involved economic systems
Chomsky starts his book with a good overview of state involved vs. not involved economic systems around capitalism and socialism. I think his criticism of state capitalist system is very valid. His examples are very old because this book is written from a speech of his given around 1970's.

One thing about Chomsky is that you always would like to hear his suggested solution about a working and fair economic model but he does not provide it. I agree with his thinking though. Instead of providing a ready made model, he puts the principles in place and suggests that the new model can only be found by experimentation and more involvement of people in small governments and companies. He says current model excludes the involvement of people and I agree with it (If asked, how many Americans would have agreed to send the boys to Iraq for the so-called liberation of Iraqis?).

I suggest this book if you are one of those people who do not get offended to hear a different system other than current capitalist one. Chomsky is an odd personality and he provides a totally different way of looking at the world.

"Eternal vigilence is the price of liberty"
How unfortunate that, busy with business as usual, we don't devote more time to discusssing with those around us how our economic and political life could be. Perhaps it is too enjoyable to sit back and watch "American Idol".

Chomsky at his most provocative:

* Can we make modern society democratic?
* Can the U.S. population join in the push for change along with people in the rest of the world? Is it willing to take a chance to disturb the status quo? Can it seem the point of that, even with the inevitable errors along the way? Or have we been lullued into sheepish acceptance of authority and the way things are?
* Has hyping the need for the war machine indeed become the way to win our tax dollars and support for aggression? Does the war machine require the kind of efficent, centralized managment that corporate executives and lawyers best provide? Does the focus on war damage our cultural and moral life? Do the corporate executives bring with them a mindset that is profoundly anti-democratic, anti-libertarian, anti-worker?

This book may be short on pages but it's long on issues you can think over and discuss with others. The libertarian socialist position Chomsky favors may not work but responding to its challenges may lull you out of sleep. Our capitalist ways seem horribly incapable of addressing the crises of sustainability that have begun. Now is the time to turn off "American Idol" each week and instead read this book and talk with others each week about it. No one person can change the tide: not until each of us is an "American Helper" is their hope for our country or the world in the crises ahead.