Membaca buku ini, baru aku sedar bagaimana mampu aku kategorikan Noam Chomsky.

Bagi aku, spektrum golongan kiri vs kanan adalah tidak relevan untuk digunapakai bagi Chomsky. Satu sebab adalah spektrum sebegitu terlalu relatif sehingga hampir tidak membawa apa-apa makna. Sebab yang lain adalah Chomsky mengajukan bentuk-bentuk soalan yang begitu common sense bagi kalangan masyarakat demokrasi. Idea-idea utama beliau boleh dikatakan sebagai truisms dalam demokrasi. Ibarat mengatakan malam adalah ketiadaan matahari; tiada posisi kiri atau kanan mampu diambil dalam hal itu.

Jadi cuba kita mulakan dengan idea model propaganda yang disebutkan oleh Chomsky dan Ed Herman dalam buku Manufacturing Consent. Di dalamnya Chomsky dan Herman mengkaji bagaimana sistem media mencipta propaganda yang menayangkan kemahuan dan matlamat syarikat korporat. Masalah tersebut adalah masalah sistemik dalam media massa di mana syer, saham dan peratus pemilikan majoritinya adalah dipegang oleh syarikat multinasional dan korporat.

Semua orang tahu kan? Penyumbang duit terbanyak dialah pemegang kuasa sebenar. Perkara sebegini hampir tidak disebut dalam media arus perdana. Perbincangan yang cuba mengarah ke dalam topik ini akan cepat-cepat dicampak ke dalam tong-tong berlabel teori konspirasi (walaupun mana-mana budak berumur 8 tahun boleh memahami dengan mudah isu ini).

Kesarjanaan sebenar Chomsky dan Herman dalam hal ini (bagi aku) adalah memberikan gambaran realistik tentang proses indoktrinasi yang berlaku. Lagipun jurnalis, wartawan yang bertugas sebagai wakil-wakil dan jurucakap syarikat-syarikat gergasi media massa pun manusia lagipun (satu lagi truism). Mereka juga berpegang kepada etika kewartawanan, dan setia pada kebenaran, serta percaya dengan nilai-nilai demokrasi.

Cumanya Chomsky membongkarkan bagaimana wujudnya penapis-penapis dalaman yang terkandung dalam sistem itu sendiri: hanya jurnalis/wartawan/editor yang sudah tertanam dengan nilai-nilai yang diterima oleh Sistem tersebut berjaya ditapis. Antara kaedah dimana jurnalis/wartawan/editor seperti mereka-mereka yang bertugas di New York Times dan WSJ cuba untuk mengindoktrinasi masyarakat dalam sebuah negara demokrasi adalah dengan membingkaikan isu-isu mengikut jalur-jalur pendapat yang diterima oleh Sistem. Masyarakat lantas mendapat ilusi bahawa mereka sedang membuat pilihan atas keputusan mereka sendiri. Walhal terdapat banyak lagi pilihan/points of view (PoV) yang tidak dibentangkan. Seringkali pilihan/PoV yang diketepikan itu disorokkan kerana ia langsung bertentangan dengan Sistem tersebut; malah mencabar keabsahan Sistem tersebut.

Contoh dalam isu Perang Vietnam, pilihan yang diberikan adalah "Adakah patut tentera Amerika kekal di Vietnam atau pulang ke tanahair?" Perhatikan bagaimana wacana tersebut mengenepikan persoalan-persoalan lain seperti "apa hak Amerika untuk berada di situ?", "siapa yang menerima keuntungan terbesar dalam perang tersebut (jawapannya: industri militari)" dll.

Kaedah interogatif Chomsky-esque sebegini sudah tentu adalah common di zaman kini. Kini The Guardian, Independent atau AJE more-or-less memakai bentuk kewartawanan yang serupa. Bagi aku itu mengisyaratkan bagaimana kaedah wacana Chomsky begitu persuasif dan berpengaruh. Aku percaya kaedah pengajuan soalan oleh Chomsky adalah inspirasi terutama bagi kebangkitan portal-portal berita yang kritikal itu tadi. Barang diingat Chomsky adalah intelektual terawal yang menyatakan bangkangan beliau terhadap Perang Vietnam. Dan mobilisasi bantahan rakyat Amerika berlaku hanyalah selepas 5 tahun berlangsungnya Perang Vietnam. Itupun bantahan yang disuarakan masih berkisar tentang kuasa/ekonomi seperti "Perang ini terlalu merugikan" etc.

Contoh yang aku berikan mungkin terlalu panjang. Mesej yang aku cuba sampaikan adalah mudah: Chomsky adalah pemikir yang wacananya paling praktis pernah aku jumpa. Setiap aktivis yang cuba untuk mengahwinkan aspek teori dan praktik perlu membacanya. Chomsky juga kemungkinan adalah intelektual awam yang paling konsisten dan rasional pegangannya pernah aku kaji. Dia sedar bahawa kepercayannya kepada amal demokrasi dan idea kebebasan manusia membawa maksud bahawa kuasa tidak patut dipusatkan kepada mana-mana entiti. Kuasa sepatutnya diagihkan seluasnya supaya ia mewakilkan suara-suara dengan saksama.

Atas sebab itu aku tiada bantahan dengan cara Chomsky mendefinisikan dirinya: anarchist, syndicalist dan libertarian.

This article is truly filled with eye-opening information. It exposes the messed up and deeply problematic behaviour and policies of certain powerful democratic states. It is astonishing to see how these states, which are supposed to uphold the values of democracy and justice, engage in actions that are completely contrary to those ideals.

The information presented here is of utmost importance and should be a must-read for all. It provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of these powerful states and the consequences of their actions. By reading this article, we can gain a better understanding of the true nature of power and politics in the international arena.

Overall, the article earns a total of 5/5 just for the sheer information content it offers. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to be informed about the world around them and the actions of those in power.

If you desire to have a distinct, comprehensive, and astute comprehension of what world policy truly represents or how powerful nations enslave impoverished people both within and beyond their borders, Chomsky's books are indeed the optimal source to obtain all the enlightenment you require.

His works offer profound insights and in-depth analyses that can help you navigate the complex web of international relations and understand the power dynamics at play.

Chomsky's unwavering commitment to truth and justice has made him a respected figure among intellectuals and activists alike.

Thanks to Chomsky and all the intellectuals who are dedicated to serving humanity without fear or hesitation. Their efforts have contributed to a more informed and aware society, and have inspired countless others to take action and make a positive difference in the world.

We should continue to support and learn from these individuals, as they are essential in our pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

It was excellent.

I just got to know Mr. Chomsky in detail and this was actually the first book I read by him.

The book is actually Chomsky's interviews and Q&A sessions that were later implemented.

Almost all international issues are talked about and a very good view regarding thinking and the way of thinking in the Chomskian style is presented to the reader. In fact, this is also a kind of world view, seeing the world through the eyes of one of the most important living thinkers of our era.

The only flaw of the book, which was actually my flaw, not the book's, is that the book is quite old. It was published in 1999 and the world is somewhat different from our world today. On the other hand, I also wanted to know Chomsky's opinion regarding after September 11th, which was not very valuable.

The book was so good that right now I am thinking about reading more from Chomsky.

Good medicine always tastes bad.


When reading Chomsky's work, I have been truly amazed. There is so much that I couldn't previously discern, yet it has been laid out right in plain view. Kudos to the editor for doing an excellent job of organizing the transcripts of Chomsky's Q&A sessions and creating this remarkable book.


Chomsky shares his views on a wide variety of topics. Most importantly, many of his views are supported by detailed footnotes, which gives them a great deal of credibility and makes for compelling truth.


Some of the interesting themes covered in the book include American foreign and domestic policy, the propaganda system, the function of schools, third world governance, and the fraud of modern economics.


It is nearly impossible to summarize all of Chomsky's profound insights in this book. However, one thing that has been consistent throughout is his brutal, no-nonsense honesty. One of the quotes that really gives you the essence of it is: "According to a study by O.E.C.D., about a half of a trillion dollars of drug money gets laundered internationally every year - more than half of it through American banks. How many bankers are in jail? None. But if a black kid gets caught with a joint, he goes to jail."


This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is, however, a much-needed wake-up call that forces us to confront the harsh realities of our world and think critically about the systems and policies that shape our lives.

Literally changes your world view. I've witnessed numerous people stating how they became disillusioned with mainstream media and even ceased following politics and news in general. This is because this book reveals to them the hopelessness of the status quo. However, I have reached the exact opposite conclusion. Chomsky is able to read between the lines and break down events in a clear and satisfying manner. You don't have to give up on news entirely. Instead, you just need to learn how to process it. This book is highly recommended for anyone, and I would rate it a 10/10. It provides valuable insights and a different perspective on the world, enabling readers to think more critically and independently. By understanding how to analyze and interpret the news, we can make more informed decisions and not be misled by the biases and misinformation that often充斥着 the media.

A fantastic compilation of interviews from one of the important intellectuals alive today. In this remarkable book, Chomsky presents a rather grim picture of the reality. His detailed accounts and analyses are likely to push you into the depths of depression as you come to terms with the harshness of the world he describes. However, every now and then, he surprises you by pulling you back up with a tinge of optimism and hope for the future. It's as if he is saying that despite the darkness, there is still a glimmer of light. If you want to understand the inner workings of corporate America and how they continuously strive to subvert popular movements all around the globe, then this book is a must-read. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can help you make sense of the complex and often disturbing world we live in.

I came to know and appreciate Chomsky's ideas via some of his interviews.

This was my first book by Chomsky. It's a collection of his lectures in the 90's, compiled in such a way that you can clearly follow the flow of ideas.

I guess even if somebody remotely follows politics through the media, this book is a must. The book provides the basics of trying to read between the lines, not just following what “they” present.

It also gave me some confidence to question the ideas behind governments, ideas that I had taken for granted.

The book nicely explains how the rich become the ruling class even in the so-called democratic systems, how the system is actually initially designed to preserve the balance of wealth and power, and how the working class is systematically marginalized.

I read somewhere that this is a good starting point on Chomsky, and after reading the book, I can't agree more. Most of the ideas, as well as the language used, were accessible and comprehensible.

It makes you think about the true nature of our society and the forces that shape it. It challenges you to look beyond the surface and question the status quo.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in politics, social issues, or just wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

Great, really fantastic.

It's a kind of summary of everything that Noam Chomsky proposes about today's world, in the form of conference fragments that he held from the late 1980s to the late 1990s.

Chomsky is a controversial figure, a leftist obsessed with geopolitics, manipulation, propaganda, and the control of the mass media over society. He is accused of anti-Americanism, but Europe doesn't seem to be more to his liking either.

He exaggerates in quite a few respects, but he always does it articulately and argumentatively. He often says "I don't know", and this makes him very approachable.

His ideas have had a significant impact on various fields, and his critiques of the status quo have forced people to think more deeply about the world we live in.

Whether one agrees with him or not, it's hard to deny the importance of his work and the influence he has had.

A truly remarkable and extensive collection of talks that have been delivered by the renowned linguist Noam Chomsky over the years. This collection is an absolute gem and serves as the ideal introduction to his vast body of work, especially if you find yourself unfamiliar with it. It offers a wonderful opportunity for readers to explore and gain insights into Chomsky's ideas and perspectives. All you need to do is simply pick a chapter from this collection and read it at a leisurely pace, a little bit at a time. As you do so, you will gradually immerse yourself in the depth and breadth of Chomsky's thinking, and begin to understand the significance and impact of his work in the fields of linguistics, philosophy, and social sciences.

This book truly opened my eyes.

It mainly describes how the power balances are in today's world and how propaganda can be carried out in the presence of democracy. It does this mostly through American foreign policy.

I had some idea that America had caused harm to other countries, but I didn't know it was to this extent. It has done so many things, from supporting racism to state-sponsored assassinations, that almost half of the book is dedicated to describing these.

In short, according to the book, although America is elected through democracy, in practice it claims that the will of a wealthy elite class governs. It says that a similar situation exists in all countries in the world, but the book focuses on America. It presents certain evidence related to this. It says that the reason for foreign policy is the attempt to integrate third world countries into the global economic system. The reason for this much violence is to prevent any populist movement from being successful because if a populist movement is successful, it can serve as an example to other countries, and this means earning less profit for large companies.

Towards the end, it also talks about the danger it poses environmentally. It says that due to the current system being only profit-oriented, it will consume and destroy nature. The evidence related to this is also very convincing to me.

There are a lot of things described in the book, so it is impossible to examine all of them. However, it is a very good and extremely easy-to-understand book. If you want to see America's recent history from a critical perspective of an American, it is definitely a book that must be read. Although it talks about so many bad things, the book is also very hopeful about the success of populist and libertarian movements. I recommend this book to every adult.

Noam Chomsky's "Understanding Power: The Indispensable Chomsky" is a profound work based on his talks from 1989 - 1999. In it, he argues that real power lies not in the political system but in the private economy. Political changes have only a minor impact as long as power remains privately concentrated. For example, if Massachusetts were to increase business taxes, businesses would use PR campaigns to oppose it, threatening to move capital and leave people jobless.

Chomsky emphasizes that until there is popular control of industry, such as workers' and community control, political power will be weak. Real democracy requires dismantling corporate capitalism and building alternative popular institutions. He also highlights the role of community building and organization, stating that when people come together, great things are possible.

However, the author also critiques some of Chomsky's views. While Chomsky is right that the wealthy often hold power and that capitalism has many flaws, the author believes that it's not enough to simply destroy capitalism. Allowing some profit-making can be beneficial when it also helps the non-wealthy. Additionally, the author argues that there must be limits on speech, contrary to Chomsky's free speech fundamentalism.

Despite these differences, Chomsky's work is highly regarded for its in-depth analysis and the many worthwhile authors he cites. His knowledge and insights into the things the powers that be don't want us to know are truly remarkable. Overall, "Understanding Power" is a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone interested in power, politics, and society.