Chomsky - Hegemony or Survival..." Review.

Depending on which side of the political fence you're on, Noam Chomsky can either represent the lone voice of truth shining forth from the depths of corruption and power, or a ranting, liberal lunatic, who sees conspiracies in every corner, monolithic `thought police,' manufacturing illusion unknowingly on the masses, and those pulling the levers, residing comfortably behind computer screens at the New York Times. 

Since his magnum opus, `Manufacturing Consent,' the far-right has dismissed him entirely, calling this erudite work the scribblings of a madman. Yet, despite this book's labyrinthine and somewhat dense arguments, his evidence is compelling. 

In our education system, for example, in certain history classes, we teach the workings of propaganda, particularly those efforts made by governments to round up more enlistments for the military to fight in WWI. For the most part, students find these examples laughable but then are astonished when comparing such propaganda with present-day attempts by various governments worldwide. 

A student asks, "Do they really think they can fool us with this stuff?" The response is, "Yes, and they do it all the time, and, more often than not, it works." Controlling public opinion has been on political agendas since the beginnings of civilization. The point, however, is whether we can recognize it for what it is and form our opinions accordingly. ~Hegemony or Survival~ is Chomsky's first major work in years, and he pulls no punches as it is a controversial and shocking text as to what it reveals.

But what is so shocking?

The premise of the book is a simple one. That is, since the end of WW II, the United States government has been ruthlessly pursuing world dominance, and it is known as "the grand imperial strategy." To comprehend this strategy, we need to understand the ideology underpinning its various policies. Chomsky suggests that it was formed based on a particular political view - Wilsonian Idealism - and that is, the "men of best quality" must rule over "the giddy multitude of beasts," the masses, to "...safeguard a system of elite decision-making and public ratification - "polyarchy," in the terminology of political science - not "democracy." (p.5) 

Contrary to democratic ideals, the "dumb herd" (you and me) must be controlled, using coercion as a tool to "tame the beast" so that the goals of the state can be furthered and accomplished. But, unfortunately, this privileged elite, currently key players in the Biden administration, "knows best," ignoring and lying to the public, breaking international law, committing acts of terrorism in the name of freedom and democracy on a grand scale, betraying alliances, switching sides when it suits them, all in the name of economic, military and political hegemony, risking the very survival of the planet itself.

This, of course, may sound alarmist, if not bordering on treason, but the evidence Chomsky provides, in a few important cases, is beyond dispute.

Therefore I submit that no matter what side of the political fence you're on, read this book, research the validity of his sources before dismissing it entirely, and then make up your mind.