The United States has repeatedly asserted its right to intervene militarily 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 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. Forceful, lucid, and meticulously documented, Failed State: America 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 recklessly place the world on the brink of nuclear and environmental disaster. Systematically dismantling America's pretense of being the world's arbiter of democracy, Failed State is Chomsky's most focused and urgent critique to date.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Failed author.:
I had to read this book as part of a school study on globalization. All I can say is that Noam "Chumpsky" should of just stuck to being a linguist. This is basically exented rant on the "evils of America". It's a slanted diatrbe of distortions, half truths, mis truths and down right lies. We don't need any more of swill like this polluting book shelves around the world. "Failed States" is nothing new, just the same ol' liberal cry fest that seems to be all the rage these days.
Chomsky -- remixed!!!:
It must be a source of constant frustration to Noam Chomsky that he must reside and eke out a living in an undemocratic "failed" state. Perhaps this is his rejoinder to those who would accuse him of voting with his feet. Appeals to the U.N. Charter, international law, and the sanctity of sovereign states make their appearance -- again. With the possible exception of Margret and H.A. Rey, nobody is better at repackaging the same themes over and over again with only new cover art and title. Chomsky... more info
As always, Chomsky offeres a different view on humanity - a must read book.:
I had to read this book for one of humanity courses. I ended up reading it in 3 days. Chomsky style is not always an easy read and can be somewhat depressing. However, Chomsky offers a sane solution to many problems that humanity is facing. It seems like aggression rarely works, so we must give his ideas a chance. We have nothing to lose.
failed states:
failed states is a very accurate explanation of the politics of governments. Somtimes Chomsky appears to be over critical of the United States way of doing business but at the end of the day he is truthful and through about . U.S. policy. The real deal.
