Understanding Power: The Indispensable Chomsky

Status: Reading

Chomsky, N. (2002). Understanding Power: THe Indispensable Chomsky.

• What type of book is it?
• State the unity of the book with the utmost brevity. What is the unifying theme of the book?

Understanding Power is an overview of Chomsky's political worldview. Drawing from historical events, Chomsky offers a wide-ranging diagnosis of the ailments of our world, and the role of the media and our institutions to subvert democracy in the U.S. and around the world.

The Propaganda Model

How the media frames limits to acceptable discourse.

Power and control

Corporations and business interests dictate policy, both foreign and domestic.

Fear as a means of control.

Recent example:

• Chevron investors back climate proposal. This is done in the interest of the corporation, not the climate. It just happens to be in the best interest of the public.