Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy | Noam Chomsky

Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy | Noam Chomsky | Reading for US Citizens

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Failed States: The...

	Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy Noam Chomsky Metropolitan Books, 2006 - 314 pages average customer review:based on 99 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Work Of Urgency

"Failed States" is Noam Chomsky's latest examination of the state of American foreign and domestic policy. Here the basic facts are put on display to show that the United States is currently being run by a system that threatens both world conditions and our own domestic safety. Chomsky brilliantly uses facts to destroy the veil of propaganda Americans are blinded with by the radical right and imperialists. While men like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity want to convince us that Iraq is a heroic effort that is working wonderfully, the truth tells as a different story as Chomsky explores the horrible conditions now present in Iraq, the gross violation of human rights and war crimes carried out by our leaders. In some of the most disturbing passages, Chomsky examines how the Bush White House has found perverse legal means to do away with the Geneva Conventions and basic human rights laws. But the book also makes it quite clear that this is not new and uses prime examples such as Reagan's illegal Contra war in Nicaragua and support of Saddam Hussein to show how American foreign policy has been more about imperial control than the actual spread of democracy. As always Chomsky uses brilliant prose and is a master at providing vast sums of information in a way that never confuses and is always clear. "Failed States" is an urgent warning and study, it is a detailed look into cultural, economic hegemony and how power, corruption and imperialism have churned a calderon of oppression and injustice that has only helped in breeding more terrorism and insecurity. The Iraq fiasco is brilliantly examined here, and it is frightening to see how ignorance and blind radicalism have lead our government down a path from which it will take real change to divert from. Chomsky also explores the current situation in Latin America and provides fascinating information about the growing movement for social independence in a region ravaged by corporate greed and corruption. The impressive achievements in Venezuela under Hugo Chavez are discussed as well as the interesting medical care achievements of Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba working together to provide free, adequate medical care to those in need. For American readers, this is important information as well as the sections where Chomsky discusses the threats to democracy within our nation, especially as seen in the 2000 election and the almost fascist infiltration of the radical religious right. "Failed States" is required reading for all who truly want to know about our current and past foreign policy, how it affects us now, and how it will affect us in the future.

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Reading for US Citizens

Mr. Chomsky, the writer of our times, takes foreign policy and interprets it into something that is understandable. I highly recommend this book and salute Mr. Chomsky for writing a book that can be read and UNDERSTOOD by every American citizen!

Excellent analysis on the current events involving United States

Another great book written by the Professor Chomsky. Using the same methodology of applying the same principles that one applies to others he concludes that United States is a failed state due its actions around the world and its undermining of international law.

Fighting For Democracy We Ain't

In my lifetime no writer has so radically changed my view of the world as much as Noam Chomsky. Using overpowering facts, untouchable logic, countless examples, and even a little sarcasm he exposes American for what it really is. That being a rogue country with two main goals: crushing of democracy and advancement of big business. These motivators show up in nearly everything this country does, including their imperial ambitions, installation of dictators worldwide, overthrowing of democratically elected leaders, crushing of human rights here and especially abroad, demolishing of labor movements, and covert operations to make sure other countries elections are seen as illegitimate. It is depressing and a bitter, nasty pill to swallow, but to ignore it is to endorse it. Here Chomsky takes as his thesis the idea that America has become a failed state because they refuse to protect their population from immediate danger, most notably global warming and nuclear disaster. And as usual he makes his point quite clear. The book is heavy lifting, Chomsky plays for keeps and is not interested in sugar coating his message. But even if you only read one chapter, this book should be required reading for all thoughtful Americans.

I will admit that this book left me in something of a moral predicament. What if everything he says is true and yet my life is better because of it? What if the point of "Deadwood" is correct and the only way to build a civilization is on the back of something that is not at all civilized. The whole "Break a few eggs" theory. Plus, doesn't it say something about our freedom of speech that Chomsky's book is able to get published? Not to sounds like Sean Hannity, but aren't there a lot of countries out there in which this book would never even come close to the press? Still, there is a big gap between his book being published and the massacres we back worldwide. His valid points are never ending, but often times he gets off track. He'll start off with the 2004 election and end up somewhere in the middle of neoliberal economics. Also, the Israel/Palestine problem, one of his favorites, is given a large chunk of this book even though it doesn't feel related to the rest of the text. In it he touches on many points he has touched on before and ends up running at the mouth.

But there are other ideas here that felt fresh for a Chomsky book. The threat of the rest of the world, sick of our hegemony, and how they are starting to fight back. An honest look at Hugo Chaves, President of Venezuela, who has been shipping oil to our less fortunate (our oil companies weren't interested in a handout for our poor) so that they can heat their homes in winter. To read Chomsky is to see the world in a whole new light. You will be able to see through the lies and the deceit that are laid at our feet every day by the government and the media. You will learn why it is important now and forever to stand up for human rights because otherwise they will simply disappear. The book itself was quite good but not great. More than anything it is vital that we begin to listen to this man because if we don't we may just end up being the endangered species he sees us as. ***1/2

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An insightful read but....

when all was said and done, after enduring an unrelenting assault on U.S. government policy both at home and abroad, his message faded to a blur. Inundated with so many facts, I found myself barely able to keep them straight let alone to actually do something with them. Contemplating my frustration, I realized a major ingredient was missing..... Balance. Not that Chomsky needed to dilute his message or fall prey to political correctness but relentlessly harping on our failings without some measure of remedy seems an ineffective strategy. Of course, that assumes the purpose behind writing this book had some altruistic intent. To add further to my frustration, add long wordy sentences and a dose of sarcasm and the cake flops in the oven.

It's not that I am disagreeable to Chomsky's views, I believe the U.S. is a failed state and there's plenty of evidence to support this belief. According to Chomsky, the majority of the American electorate knows we are sick and where that sickness lies. What's so unfortunate is how much easier it is to criticize than to provide solutions. In fairness, Chomsky does make seven "conservative" suggestions on the second to last page of his book. One paragraph of cure leaving the rest reserved for criticism.

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