Chomsky on Socialism

Noam Chomsky responds to a caller's request for his thoughts on socialism, during a 2003 interview by Brian Lamb, for C-SPAN's "In Depth" program. He describes how socialism was equated with the Leninist model of the Soviet Union by both the USA and its allies on the one hand, and the USSR and its allies on the other.

Full interview available @ http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&...

I also recommend the following video, where Chomsky further describes the double-sided anti-socialist propaganda (beginning @ 7:55): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQsceZ9skQI

And here's a 1986 essay by Chomsky on the Soviet half of the anti-socialist duo: http://www.chomsky.info/articles/1986----.htm

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Noam
• Chomsky
• Noam Chomsky
• socialism
• communism
• democracy
• propaganda
• Leninism
• Stalinism
• USSR
• Soviet Union
• industrial feudalism
• economic feudalism
• wage slavery

[skydome29]

Either way you skin it, it's still synonymous with failure.

[shurednichso]

@diffnature

*facepalm*

1.Marx wrote exactly about those points you are calling out.

2. Noam Chomsky is an Anarchist and not a Socialist.

[diffnature]

Please understand that socialism tries to monopolise radical discourse by posing as the only critique of capitalism that can be imagined. In truth there are many criticisms of capitalism, *and* socialism, that rise above the superficial analysis of economic systems and property relations. These are often general critiques of the hegemony of power politics and the industrial mass society over lived life. Socialism never criticised these things as such but wanted to take possesion of them.

[diffnature]

Never forget that this is a deluded old-school leftist who once sided with Pol Pot because he throught it was strategically important.

[unifiedreality]

@s9z9s No, you're an extremist for the reasons given above, and your ranting only proves it.

[georgelopezblows]

Millions of people died from famine during the Great Depression, which was during a time when welfare did not exist. How many millions of Americans have died from welfare?

Welfare hasn't stopped innovation in America. Think of all the brilliant minds from the past 70 years. The welfare state did not inhibit their genius.

[georgelopezblows]

@s9z9s People with certain marketable talents already reap the benefits of the system, and they are taxed to help the less fortunate who were not blessed by nature. I'd say the solution we have in place works great, although it does need reform.

Social programs subsidize life. If you don't like it, leave. Try Japan.

[s9z9s]

@unifiedreality

I'm the "extremist" because I oppose an ideology which has caused far more death and misery than any other. I'm an "extremist" because I want to live in a system where every individual is free to pursue their own self interest - and truly brilliant, talented individuals are allowed to shine. I'm an "extremist" because I recognize that every individual is unique and believe a natural hierarchy will always exist.