Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy (American Empire Project)

The world's foremost critic of U.S. foreign policy exposes the hollow promises of democracy in American actions abroad--and at homeThe United States has repeatedly asserted its right to intervene against "failed states" around the globe. In this much anticipated sequel to his international bestseller Hegemony or Survival, Noam Chomsky turns the tables, charging the United States with being a "failed state," and thus a danger to its own people and the world. "Failed states" Chomsky writes, are those "that do not protect their citizens from violence and perhaps even destruction, that regard themselves as beyond the reach of domestic or international law, and that suffer from a 'democratic deficit,' having democratic forms but with limited substance." Exploring recent U.S. foreign and domestic policies, Chomsky assesses Washington's escalation of the nuclear risk; the dangerous consequences of the occupation of Iraq; and America's self-exemption from international law. He also examines an American electoral system that frustrates genuine political alternatives, thus impeding any meaningful democracy.Forceful, lucid, and meticulously documented, Failed States offers a comprehensive analysis of a global superpower that has long claimed the right to reshape other nations while its own democratic institutions are in severe crisis, and its policies and practices have recklessly placed the world on the brink of disaster. Systematically dismantling America's claim to being the world's arbiter of democracy, Failed States is Chomsky's most focused--and urgent--critique to date. I picked up this audio book at my library, but I would recommend the audio version as a purchase. I have read one of Chomsky's other books, "What uncle sam really wants" and have watched him in various videos. The words are classic Chomsky, railing against hypocrisy and greed from the highest levels of government and the complacency of the American public. The good news is that this work doesn't feel all that dated, so even with some time, the underlying issues are still affecting the world and it is interesting to see how the trends that Chomsky picks up on have played out (for example, the rise of Islamophobia). In addition to being a pretty blistering book, its a good listen. Noam Chomsky has a very quiet and precise way of speaking, and the main narrator has a much more pleasing and easy way with Chomsky's words. I find this actually more engaging in some regards, since the spirit of his ideas seems to have more impact. The narrator also handles Chomsky's dry humor quite well. About the one thing that I have issue with is that when the narrator reads long quotations that is sometimes easy to forget that you are listening to another person's words and not the author's. Definitely pick this audiobook up for your next long car ride. The United States has repeatedly asserted its right to intervene militarily against "failed states" around the globe. Chomsky turns the tables, charging the United States with being a "failed state," and therefore a danger to its own people and the world. "Failed states," Chomsky writes, are those "that do not protect their citizens from violence and perhaps even destruction, that regard themselves as beyond the reach of domestic or international law, and that suffer from a 'democratic deficit, ' having democratic forms but with limited substance." Exploring recent U.S. foreign and domestic policies, Chomsky assesses Washington's escalation of nuclear risks; the dangerous consequences of the occupation of Iraq; and Americas's self-exemption from international law. He also examines an American electoral system that frustrates genuine political alternatives, thus impeding any meaningful democracy.--From publisher description "Failed States offers a comprehensive analysis of a global superpower that has long claimed the right to reshape other nations - toppling governments it deems illegitimate, invading states judged to threaten its interests, imposing sanctions on regimes it opposes - while its own democratic institutions are in severe crisis, and its policies and practices recklessly place the world on the brink of nuclear and environmental disaster. Systematically dismantling the United States' pretense of being the world's arbiter of democracy, Failed States is Chomsky's most focused - and urgent - critique to date."--BOOK JACKET Half a century ago, in July 1955, Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein issued an extraordinary appeal to the people of the world, asking them "to set aside" the strong feelings they have about many issues and to consider themselves "only as members of a biological species which has had a remarkable history, and whose disappearance none of us can desire." Stark, dreadful, inescapable Outlaw states Illegal but legitimate Democracy promotion abroad Supporting evidence: the Middle East Democracy promotion at home. Noam Chomsky. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [265]-300) And Index.