The Politics of Noam Chomsky

by James O'B - WSM Mon Sep 13, 2004 18:18

The full text of that interview from which the quotes a couple of comments above are taken is at http://www.struggle.ws/rbr/noamrbr2.html
(from our occassional magazine Red & Black Revolution). The Red Ink bookshop (& WSM bookservice if you're outside Dublin) in Temple Bar , above Flip clothes shop, has a short pamphlet which has that and his 'Notes on Anarchism', which was originally written as a preface to Guerin's book (I think).

Our bookservce is at http://www.struggle.ws/once/wsm_books.html

by Marc Thomas Mon Sep 13, 2004 16:38

Both locally & globally those disenfranchised from traditional political structures are seeking out real alternatives that tackle head on the social injustices that arise throughout the world because of war, racism and privatisation. They are also seeking out real alternative structures that tackle head on the authoritarian, sectarian, dishonest, and out of date practices of the neanderthal Left. The SWP which, to its credit, realised this after Seattle, is now busy setting fronts to disguise their real identity. IAWM, GLOBALISE RESISTANCE, ANOTHER EUROPE IS POSSIBLE, ETC. The first time as tragedy, the second as farce, the third trash/pulp fiction.

by Noamski Mon Sep 13, 2004 14:46

Chomsky on Lenin, socialism and trade-union consciousness:

If the left is understood to include 'Bolshevism,' then I would flatly dissociate myself from the left. Lenin was one of the greatest enemies of socialism, in my opinion, for reasons I've discussed. The idea that workers are only interested in horse-racing is an absurdity that cannot withstand even a superficial look at labour history or the lively and independent working class press that flourished in many places, including the manufacturing towns of New England not many miles from where I'm writing - not to speak of the inspiring record of the courageous struggles of persecuted and oppressed people throughout history, until this very moment.

The Soviet Union Versus Socialism: http://www.chomsky.info/articles/1986----.htm

Similarities of Leninists to Right wingers:

"I haven't actually equated the doctrines of the liberal intellectuals of the Kennedy administration with Leninists, but I have noted striking points of similarity - rather as predicted by Bakunin a century earlier in his perceptive commentary on the new class. For example, I quoted passages from McNamara on the need to enhance managerial control if we are to be truly free, and about how the undermanagement that is the real threat to democracy is an assault against reason itself. Change a few words in these passages, and we have standard Leninist doctrine. I've argued that the roots are rather deep, in both cases. Without further clarification about what people find shocking, I can't comment further. The comparisons are specific, and I think both proper and properly qualified. "

by Chekov - WSM - personal capacity Sun Sep 12, 2004 20:36

Wow that's a tough one. Let's consider the facts.

1. The SWP organises a meeting about Chomsky. Anonymous comments on indymedia speculate that they are unlikely to mention that fact that Chomsky thinks their politics are crap, or "the greatest enemy of socialism" to quote the man himself.

2. An anarchist newspaper publishes a review of a book by Chomsky which was published in 2003, doesn't mention John Kerry and is not concerned in any way with the US election. Unsurprisingly, the review talks about the contents of the book rather than the author's opinions on a completely different topic.

Of course these two apparently unrelated facts suddenly reveal themselves to be the ultimate act of hypocrisy when viewed through sectarian-tinted glasses. I rather suspect that we might have another sighting of a Spart-In-Cyberspace!

Incidentally, I can't see how one could possibly include criticism of Chomsky's stance on the election in the review unless you were somehow considering Chomsky to be a potential leader whose every word would be followed. Only then would it make any sense at all to concentrate on the small areas where you disagree with him rather than the major ones where you agree with him.

You should also note that there have been several anarchists who have argued at length against Chomsky's lesser-evilism on indymedia, including myself at this thread: http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=63977

So your claim that we 'cream our pants' over Chomsky and ignore areas where we disagree with him is clearly wrong.

As the review from the latest workers solidarity is not yet available on line, here is the text so that people can decide on the terrible hypocrisy of the article for themselves:

Understanding Power

Mark Malone Reviews Understanding Power by Noam Chomsky. Ed. Mitchell and Schoeffel, Published by Vintage 2003, €17

Understanding Power is a collection of edited interviews, presentations and discussions that Noam Chomsky has had with activists and community groups over the ten year period from 1989-99. Put together in question and answer format and covering topics ranging from globalisation, activist strategies, and the media, Understanding Power is an accessible, even es-sential, read for all those concerned with how the very few use structures of power to maintain their grip on the majority of people across the globe.

Chomsky has been the recipient of much gushing praise for his analysis of power structures and their corroding impact on the devel-opment of a truly democratic society. The New York Times describes him as "arguably the most important intellectual alive." Quite funny then that the NY Times has no less than 38 separate entries in the book’s index, which cite examples of deliberate misreporting and con-venient omissions, in its role of ‘informing’ the public. It is Chomsky’s demystifying of deliberately intellectualised arguments, backed up with a serious amount of supporting facts and plain common sense that makes this collection important and readily digestible.

Much of the discussions are based on the continuing oppression of many of the world’s peoples. The historical context of old style imperialism, neoliberalism and the war industry are explored as is the media’s increasingly important role in maintaining the status quo. American and European foreign poli-cies are stripped to their hypocritical core in great detail. The left does not escape Chomsky’s attention. He re-jects the idea of an elitist Vanguard Party with the "capacity to lead the stupid masses towards some future they’re too dumb to understand themselves...The same guys that were Stalinist thugs of the former Soviet Union are now running banks and are enthusiastic free market-eers, praising the US."

Marxism as an applicable theory is dismissed. "We don’t discuss Einsteinism or Plackism." They "had somethings to say, some right and absorbed into science, some wrong and later improved on...if you set up the idea of Marxism, you’ve already aban-doned rationality." He describes the form of libertarian socialism practised in Barcelona in the late 1930’s as "about as high a level as human beings have reached in trying to reach libertarian principles, which In my view are the right ones"

Repeatedly Chomsky returns to the need for organised resistance to all forms of undemocratic power, and provokes the reader to empower themselves to help "build a movement that is truly democratic, to provoke reform and ferment the opportunity for revolution." By high-lighting the achievements made by the sacrifice and collective work of many, against seemingly overwhelming odds this book may just get you to stop shouting at the tv, shift your ass and get organised.

by mr. Left Sun Sep 12, 2004 19:56

Before the anarchists start creaming themselves in their pants, they should remember that Chomsky is advocating a vote for Kerry. Chomsky is a left apologist for lesser evilism. If he was in Ireland and FF launched a(nother) massive assault on workers' conditions and wages, on democratic rights, women, people of colour etc etc, would he advocate a vote for FG.

yet, in the latest issue of Workers Solidarity there is an uncritical article on Chomsky.
square the circle lads!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1174017,00.html

by Lennon Fri Sep 10, 2004 19:05

Yeh, I wonder will the SWP mention that? haha.

by the truth Fri Sep 10, 2004 16:26

DON'T FORGET TO OUTLINE HIS OPINION OF LENIN- "THE GREATEST ENEMY OF SOCIALISM"