World Orders, Old and New [Hardcover]

When Chomsky came to speak in Oxford recently, several hundred people were turned away because the Sheldonian Theatre where he spoke was packed full to capacity. I have still not yet seen him in person, but fortunately he has published a wide variety of books.

Of the handful of Chomsky books that I have read, this is the one I've recommended most to other people. It contains a fascinating retelling of the history of American foreign relations since the second world war. Even for those who disagree, it is vital to come to grips with the arguments it presents.

It would be an especially helpful antidote for those who think that all truth springs from the economics textbook (you know who you are!)

Chomsky emphasises historical and political facts that we are likely to find uncomfortable. Some of things he has said have made me think, "He can't be right, can he?" But then despite my diligent searching of anti-Chomsky web pages (and, indeed, this reviews section!) I have yet to find any convincing rebuttals of his arguments. Most of the time, his detractors seem to focus on merely attacking him and misrepresenting his views, which is a good sign that there is probably a lot of truth in what he (Chomsky) is saying.

Yes, there is something of a conspiracy theorist on the surface of Chomsky. But underneath there is a surprising amount of evidence and logical argumentation. I think part of the genius of Chomsky's view of the world is that it DOESN'T actually take some far-fetched underground conspiracy, but merely the normal operation of the capitalist world system to bring about the situation we have found ourselves in.

Chomsky's analysis of "world orders" is not based on some kind of elaborate fantasy, but largely well documented recent history and political science. One doesn't have to be radical political activist to appreciate the unique perspective that Chomsky has to offer.

I think that this book is a engaging and worthwhile introduction to Chomsky's thinking from a more historical point of view.

There was one victor in 1945, the USA and one sycophant, the UK blinded into believing it had a special relationship with the victor. Of course with anyone who prostrates themself before someone stronger and more vital is subject to further exploitation. Turning yourself into a glove puppet and easing yourself onto the hand is bound with danger.

In the ruthless exploitation of the "free market" a number of foreigners have paid the price. Of course the USA has long history of liquidating lesser species. So a big hats off to Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Kurds in Turkey, Palestinians in no man's land, Argentinians, Chileans, Peruvians, Colombians, Panamanians, Cubans, Vietnamese, East Timoreans, Grenadans, Mexicans, South Africans, Congolese, Mozambique, Iranians, Pakistanis, Afghanis, Iraqi's for laying down your lives en masse so we can live in our Safe "European" Homes- not forgetting the interventions in France and Italy to make the world safe from communism.
Also a big thanks for wiping out the unions using the mafia in the early part of the century so trade could expand exponentially and go bang in 1929 because unfettered greed is good and the market always corrects itself. After this date the corporate state of Mussolini has always been the template for success, the free market is neither free nor a market but a convenient ideology.

The "free market" has brought freedom and the greatest rise in living standards post war than any other ideology we have been told. Except of course like most ideologies it was a convenient lie, necessary to maintain an illusion to keep on consuming. The continued desire to keep on keeping on is just an undiagnosed mental health condition, the genesis of capitillism where the most psychologically damaged are the most applauded; the template for success being the hoarder. Anyone with any sensibility becomes swept within a tidal wave of unresolved mass psychological unrest tumbling out of the emotional broom cupboard, screaming new is best and we want more of it.

The dead bodies of the producers lay silently rotting, being eaten by the the flies of a chastened force of nature. Chomsky shows where the bodies are buried and why they were slaughtered, so Mr and Mrs socially inept can trundle their overweight carcasses on a parade across the globe in acquiring experiences.

This will eventually consume us all, regardless of whether the planet heats up, cools down, turns Jewish, Muslim, Born Again or becomes aethiest. The reins of power are in the hands of the very ill, they have set the agenda and everyone bathes in the shadow of the damaged and diseased mind.

Chomsky appeals to morality to expose the deceit highlighting the tension between what is said and then showing the actions. In the universe there is no order, no morality, no nature, no power- this knowledge leads to nihilism or the genesis of a new beginning. At some point there is going to be a seismic rift tearing apart the planet. At present China will be deciding how this becomes enacted. The USA is descending into a bit part actor, its actions squandered in its expression of a defunct free market ideology. China carries no baggage and no illusions, only realpolitik of success, the triumph of "Communism" over "democracy" where power is disguised by an ideology but ultimately it exists for itself.

The right is as bankrupt as the left after the fall of the wall. Exposed it has its walls of bodies to cling to as it carries on consuming, the rest of us however are no longer indignant, just bored.

A very important work from Chomsky outlining the United State's attempts to reorder the pre & more significantly the post WWII World.

Explains the U.S. use of Military Keynesianism & Central Planning to stimulate recession prone Capitalist economies. The covert ways of pumping public money into big business through the Pentagon system, alongside of the more overt subsidies & bailouts of big business, whilst ironically still managing to convince the poor & the average person that 'free markets' are good & socialism is bad.

Chomsky details how many of the inventions we see as 'wonders of Capitalism' are in fact publicly funded (covertly) through the R&D stage and could more rightly be seen as wonders of Socialism. One of the greatest examples is computers; 80% publicly funded in the 50's & again in the 70's & 80's, then handed over to big business once they became profitable.

Then Chomsky balances the books with the cost of 100's of thousands of people tortured & killed at the hands of U.S. installed, trained & funded clients throughout Latin America & elsewhere. Highlighting the fact that it's very important for the U.S. to overthrow democracies & install fascist regimes if the democracies will insist on putting human rights before American business profits.

See Chomsky's: 'The Washington connection & third World Fascism' for a more detailed analysis of correlations between U.S. aid & countries that torture their citizens & more on how torturing citizens is important for improving business & investment climates for U.S. companies abroad.

Political Economy of Human Rights: The Washington Connection and Third World Fascism v. 1