Understanding Power

The Indispensable Chomsky

Paperback, 416 pages

English language

Published Feb. 1, 2002 by New Press.

ISBN:
978-1-56584-703-3
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OCLC Number:
56674913

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Noam Chomsky remains one of our preeminent public intellectuals, a thinker whose works on international politics and the media are read worldwide. In Understanding Power, Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel have assembled the best of Chomsky’s talks on the politics of power.

In a series of enlightening and wide-ranging discussions, all published here for the first time, Chomsky radically interprets the events of the late twentieth century, covering topics from foreign policy during Vietnam to the attacks on welfare under the Clinton administration. And as he elucidates the connection between America’s imperialistic foreign policy and the decline of domestic standards of living, Chomsky also establishes a theory of social change. Featuring his classic criticisms of media in capitalist society, as well as U.S. foreign and domestic policy, Understanding Power offers a sweeping critique of the world around us and is the definitive Chomsky.

Characterized by Chomsky’s accessible and …

6 editions

Review of 'Understanding Power' on 'Goodreads'

This book is for 3 kinds of people:

1. People who will likely never read another Chomsky book and need a concentrated, yet broad understanding of him. Friends, family, busy people, students, etc.

2. People who need an introduction into Chomsky in order to be convinced they should read more. That was me.

3. People who have read a bunch of other Chomsky and want to use this to help them remember all of the other books they read. This one works a bit like a capstone.

If you are any of those 3 kinds of people, read it. And don't feel bad if you don't read every single word. You won't get it the first time anyway. You don't have the historical background to do that (especially if you are in your 20s or younger), and that isn't your fault. You weren't taught it in school. Which is, ironically, …

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Subjects

  • Political and social views
  • Chomsky, Noam