Prospects for Democracy by Noam Chomsky  CD

13 audio essays and lectures by Professor Chomsky 

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. A member of the American Academy of Science, he has published widely in both linguistics and current affairs. His books include At War with Asia, Towards a New Cold War, Fateful Triangle: The U. S., Israel and the Palestinians, Necessary Illusions, Hegemony or Survival, Deterring Democracy, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy and Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

AMAZON REVIEW

Noam Chomsky is a national treasure! He's a highly controversial voice of dissent whom many dismiss as "anti-American," and that makes him more idealistically American than most of us (free speaking, free thinking, highly inquisitive, suspicious of ruling powers, champion of human rights, champion of individual freedom, etc.)

Democracy is about INFORMED voters, and we have allowed ourselves to become grossly uninformed and maniupulated. Chomsky is a one-man whirlwind of alternative viewpoints.

Light bulbs switch on in my head as I listen. Intractible problems of politics and the human condition suddenly feel much better understood. I feel foolish for having been so misinformed and manipulated all these years.

You don't have to agree with him, nor like him. You don't even have to believe him. Just LISTEN to him and then pay close attention to the news and the state of humanity while remaining open to the possibility of truth in what he said. Give it time. Decide the truth for yourself, but first balance your data by truly hearing Chomsky's messages.

This single CD, Prospects for Democracy, is a live recording of a 1995 talk lasting about 70 minutes. It is typical of Chomsky's mid-1990's lectures, all of which I recommend highly (though they have much overlap). This one is a good choice.

While "dated" in some unimportant ways, it is timeless as Reagan and Clinton politics are examined under the light of warnings from our nation's founding fathers. Chomsky's messages are as timeless as the book "1984" (which ought to be read in every high school in every democracy).

Concepts include the tyranny of rule by corporations; the government's role as protector of corporations, obfuscator, and fall guy for the people's discontent; propaganda and media control; crushing of labor; NAFTA; Haiti; etc.

-A Friedman