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Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,382 listener ratings
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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.
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"Chomsky portrays the United States as a failed state because of the government's disregard for international law and the treaties the country has accepted as well as the lack of real democracy at home. There's a lot to go into with such a thesis. One interesting point is his reference to surveys indicating that the majority of those polled want more spent on health care, job creation, and global warming and less given to the military and big business. He sites these polls in a positive way but when the polls indicate that people are more religious or want to support Israel, he derides them. Or at least he seems to. Is he picking which opinions he finds valid and scoffing at those he doesn't respect or have I misinterpreted? I agree with the premise. There is a definite lack of democracy in the U.S. and the government has done a poor job on too many fronts to enumerate. The problem may come in that, if we had a real democracy, would we turn into the theocracy that we fear in Iran? Fundamentalists and their ilk may bring god into more decisions in our bedrooms while trying to shrink government in all other areas. Or maybe not, considering the expansion of government that happened under GWB. They hypocrisy of the neos is too extreme to make up but true believers believe. They don't need facts because they believe things. Facts are for losers. Faith is all one needs."
— Andy (4 out of 5 stars)
Failed States Listener Reviews
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David Smith, 5/22/2020
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" A VERY DRY READ. "
— Danielle, 2/20/2014 -
" Noam Chomsky is always interesting to read. "
— Shagatxulg, 2/17/2014 -
" The United States and our client states such as Israel are actively egaged in a campaign of tyrrany and terror around the world. "
— Seth, 2/9/2014 -
" The author uses different conspiracies to explain historical events and interventions. The reader has to be open minded to asimilate the information and create their own judgement of the material. "
— Mendez, 1/15/2014 -
" Love the subject matter (what you don't know about how evil our country really is) but (as with most Chomsky) it takes a lot of patience to plow through. I felt like I had gotten the point after a few pages-interesting but not exactly engaging. "
— Stacy, 1/9/2014 -
" Brilliant. A book to enrage the reader page by reddening page. "
— Grant, 1/1/2014 -
" Even if you don't agree with his viewpoint, Chomsky's books are packed with enough history, political upheavals and economic realities, that you simply cannot stop reading! "
— Shannon, 12/4/2013 -
" I put this one down to read Hegemony, but picked it up again last week with a new interest. I'll let you know if it was worth a second try... and it was. "
— Shavaugn, 11/28/2013 -
" I love this because I take the word democracy for granted. He slaps it out of me. "
— Jaymi, 11/27/2013 -
" I couldn't get through this - Chomsky's writing was clearly well done and his ideas interesting, however I was listening to the book on CD and the reader was UNBEARABLE! Perhaps I will try to pick this up in paperback/hardcopy. "
— Laura, 11/16/2013 -
" Noam Chomsky presents his theses in clear, concise language with reliable sources. He's an American institution for good reason, and is never afraid to speak truth to power. "
— Kaitlin, 11/11/2013 -
" America is taking on characteristics of what it calls by definition a failed state. Some of these characteristics include an increasing divide between public policy and public opinion, and policies which endanger the not only the US population but the world. "
— Brian, 11/10/2013 -
" Classic Chomsky, America this, America that, whining, bitching, but as always makes for an insightful read. "
— Maciej, 8/22/2013 -
" failed states? failing world with a silver lining "
— Magnus, 7/28/2013 -
" A lot to process, but important to read. Thank Chomsky for doing the research the rest of us don't have time to do, and for reminding us -in spite of our short attention spans- of our very recent political history. "
— Anne, 6/7/2013 -
" Opps... we're the third world. "
— Jay, 5/8/2013 -
" Incredibly dense. Methodically approached, systematically written. "
— Ammad, 3/26/2013 -
" A LOT!! "
— Brendan, 10/24/2012 -
" very informative. good read if you are unaware of the current power struggle over nuclear arms, etc. "
— Jessica, 6/5/2012 -
" Just reconfirmed stuf I already knew about and a few new tidbits that you just don't get from the news. "
— Raechelle, 5/23/2012 -
" I did not enjoy this book at all. It was boring and repetitive and very depressing. "
— Nora, 11/22/2011 -
" For anyone who has questioned my ideas on government and foreign policy, for those who have called me "misguided" or even Anti-American, READ this book, THEN come talk to me about what you thought about it! "
— Jenifer, 7/22/2011 -
" A very informative, eye opening book. Chomsky provides a lot of information that shows how the US is mismanaging itself and its policies. I do take what he says with a slight grain of salt because he seems so tilted towards the bad. Even though we aren't the best country, I do love living here. "
— Natasha, 5/4/2011 -
" Solid Chomsky. Not his best. "
— Neil, 4/30/2011 -
" Just reconfirmed stuf I already knew about and a few new tidbits that you just don't get from the news. "
— Raechelle, 4/5/2011 -
" This book is a little tough going sometimes, but oh so worth it. Noam Chomsky is brilliant, honest and pretty funny in a gallows-humor kind of way. <br/> <br/>Definitely worth reading. "
— Kate, 4/3/2011 -
" i can only read about 2 pages at a time without getting too angry. I think he's usually right and its maddening. i leave this book deeply saddened. "
— wes, 11/10/2010 -
" Chomsky is surgery on Americas Double Standards........ "
— Feroz, 9/27/2010 -
" Everything you thought Chomsky was going to say, he said. "
— Caroline, 9/25/2010 -
" It was interesting, but a little difficult to read and he is a massive lefty. "
— Simon, 2/22/2010 -
" America is taking on characteristics of what it calls by definition a failed state. Some of these characteristics include an increasing divide between public policy and public opinion, and policies which endanger the not only the US population but the world. "
— Brian, 1/5/2010
About Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky is the bestselling author of over 100 influential political books and has collaborated with journalists on books such as Perilous Power, Gaza in Crisis, and On Palestine. He is a laureate professor at the University of Arizona and professor emeritus in the department of linguistics and philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is one of the foremost critics of US foreign policy. He has published numerous groundbreaking books, articles, and essays on global politics, history, and linguistics. His work is widely credited with having revolutionized the field of modern linguistics.
About Alan Sklar
Alan Sklar, a graduate of Dartmouth, has excelled in his career as a freelance voice actor. Named a Best Voice of 2009 by AudioFile magazine, his work has earned him several Earphones Awards, a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award (twice), a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and Audiobook of the Year by ForeWord magazine. He has also narrated thousands of corporate videos for clients such as NASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, IBM, Dannon, Pfizer, AT&T, and SONY.