Due to my recent interest in Noam Chomsky, I am beginning to worry more and more about the state of U.S. politics. Chomsky argues that the U.S. is not a democracy, but rather a polyarchy whereby power is held by a small oligarchic ruling class. This class, for Chomsky, is the business class which controls all major U.S. economic institutions. Such institutions are in actuality the only real political power in the U.S., and, thus, our nation does not even have a two-party political system, but instead a one-party system (the business party), which functions as advocates of the interests of major U.S. corporations.
Furthermore, Chomsky argues that practically every U.S. military action taken in foreign affairs has been imperialistic and in the interest of strengthening U.S. economic interests oversees. So, the so-called war on terror is actually a two-way street. The U.S. is just as much a terrorist nation as any of the nations in the middle-east that we typically refer to as terrorist states. According to Chomsky, we operate on the premise that we own the world, and any interference with our military action is a war crime, while our military action is somehow self-justified.
I must admit, my own political beliefs have been substantially altered because of influence from Chomsky. While I formerly supported Obama as a legitimate alternative to the oppressive right, I now question how different Democratic politics are as opposed to the politics of their obvious rival party. Are Obama and McCain simply two sides of the same thing? I thought that at least Obama could pull us out of the war and keep us from an illegitimate war with Iran, but now I wonder if the Democratic party is really even interested in following through with their promises. Are they not just simply playing the same game? Is Obama truly an agent of change or simply a celebrity, or a tabla rasa where everyone can write in what they would like to see? Should I have supported Ron Paul all along instead?
Filed under: Culture & Film
Interesting post…. though I shouldn’t be surprised. You always have something interesting and thought provoking to say!
I wish I still had the abstract from the Stranger that Sherman Alexie wrote about the elections. He basically said that all politicians are ass munchers, and egomaniacs- anyone who runs for public office must have some form of ego mania, or they wouldn’t want that kind of power/responsibility. However, we’re looking at two evils here, and you’re right- on many levels, Obama and McCain are two sides of the same rotten coin. On the other hand, there ARE issues in which Obama IS the lesser of two evils, and you’ve got to give them some thought. Chomsky makes some excellent points, but you know as well as I do it’s never as simple as boiling it down to Mere Business. There’s always more to the story.
Ah, good ‘ol Sherman Alexie! I think he was just in Spokane.
Yes, Meghan, I agree with your interpretation of the situation. Obama must be elected!
Well… Sherman actually lives in/around Spokane, so, yes, he would have been.
That definitely makes sense. I had no idea. I became aware of him/heard him speak when I was at Cascadia CC in high school.
He’s from the Coeur d’Alene tribe.