The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky (Routledge Studies in Social and Political Thought)

The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky questions Chomsky's claim not to have a theory about the relationship between human beings and their society other than that which 'can be written on the back of postage stamp'. Edgley compares Chomsky's vision of the good society with liberal communitarian perspectives, and establishes that it is grounded in a hopeful belief about human nature. She argues that sympathy with this vision of the good society is essential for understanding the nature of Chomsky's critique of state capitalism, its inherent nationalism and the media. The author concludes that Chomsky's analysis is coherent and systematic when one acknowledges that he is not just a critic but a theorist. Booknews While Chomsky describes himself as a libertarian socialist and rationalist, others debate whether he has strayed too far from his field of linguistics as social-political critic/theorist or is even an anti-Semite for defending French Holocaust denier Faurisson's right to freedom of expression. As in his concept of the brain's faculty of a universal grammar, the MIT professor applies a structural analysis to society. Edgley concludes that he is a "militant optimist" after examining his writings on political theory, the good society, state capitalism, state theory, nationalism, and politics and the media. The acknowledgments allude to this book being based on a doctoral dissertation, but its date, venue, and the author's current affiliation are not listed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky questions Chomsky's claim not to have a theory about the relationship between human beings and their society other than that which 'can be written on the back of postage stamp'. Edgley compares Chomsky's vision of the good society with liberal communitarian perspectives, and establishes that it is grounded in a hopeful belief about human nature. She argues that sympathy with this vision of the good society is essential for understanding the nature of Chomsky's critique of state capitalism, its inherent nationalism and the media. The author concludes that Chomsky's analysis is coherent and systematic when one acknowledges that he is not just a critic but a theorist. Language Arts & Disciplines,Linguistics,Philosophy,Political,History & Theory,General,Political Science,Essays,Social Sciences "The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky questions Chomsky's claim not to have a theory about the relationship between human beings and their society other than that which can be 'written on the back of a postage stamp'. Edgley compares Chomsky's vision of the good society with liberal and communitarian perspectives, and establishes that it is grounded in a hopeful belief about human nature. She argues that sympathy with this vision of the good society is essential for understanding the nature of Chomsky's critique of state capitalism, its inherent nationalism and the media. The author concludes that Chomsky's analysis is coherent and systematic when one acknowledges that he is not just a critic but a theorist."--P. 4 of Cover One of the few serious academic studies of Chomsky's political writing, this volume addresses many key issues in political theory through an engagement with Chomsky's ideas.