Synopses & Reviews
On Anarchism provides the reasoning behind Noam Chomsky's fearless lifelong questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. In these essays, Chomsky redeems one of the most maligned ideologies, anarchism, and places it at the foundation of his political thinking. Chomsky's anarchism is distinctly optimistic and egalitarian. Moreover, it is a living, evolving tradition that is situated in a historical lineage; Chomsky's anarchism emphasizes the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
The collection includes a revealing new introduction by journalist Nathan Schneider, who documented the Occupy movement for Harper's and The Nation, and who places Chomsky's ideas in the contemporary political moment. On Anarchism will be essential reading for a new generation of activists who are at the forefront of a resurgence of interest in anarchism—and for anyone who struggles with what can be done to create a more just world.
Review
"The essence of anarchism [is] the conviction that the burden of proof has to be placed on authority and that it should be dismantled if that burden cannot be met."
NOAM CHOMSKY
Review
Praise for Noam Chomsky:
"Chomsky is a global phenomenon."
Samantha Power, The New York Times Book Review
"Chomskys fierce talent proves once more that human beings are not condemned to become commodities."
Eduardo Galeano
"Not to have read [Chomsky] is to court genuine ignorance."
The Nation
Synopsis
Radical linguist, philosopher, and activist Noam Chomsky is widely recognized as one of the foremost intellectuals in contemporary America. Known for his denunciation of U.S. foreign policy, state capitalism, and the mainstream media, he is a fearless critic of established authority, a stance that is informed by his libertarian anarchism.
Chomsky on Anarchism brings together a timely collection of key interviews and articles from across Chomsky's career, providing an invaluable introduction to the brand of anarchism that underpins Chomskys political philosophy. Discussing its roots in the influence of his family, Chomsky is here found eloquently refuting the notion of anarchism as a fixed idea but rather as a living, evolving tradition. He disputes, too, the traditional fault lines between anarchism and socialism, emphasizing the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
Incorporating revealing interviews with Chomsky by writer Nathan Schneider that update each in light of todays events, this is a book that is sure to provoke and inspire. Profoundly relevant to our times, Chomsky on Anarchism is a touchstone for activists and anyone interested in politics and the man dubbed "our nations conscience."
Synopsis
The essential primer to the political theory of the thinker the New York Times deemed "arguably the most important intellectual alive" Radical linguist, philosopher, and activist Noam Chomsky is one of the world's foremost intellectuals. Known for his brilliant evisceration of American foreign policy, state capitalism, and the mainstream media, he remains a formidable and unapologetic critic of established authority.
On Anarchism sheds a much-needed needed light on the foundations of Chomsky's thought, specifically his constant questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. The book gathers his essays and interviews to provide a short, accessible introduction to his distinctively optimistic brand of anarchism. Chomsky eloquently refutes the notion of anarchism as a fixed idea, suggesting that it is part of a living, evolving tradition, and he disputes the traditional fault lines between anarchism and socialism, emphasizing the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
Including a revealing new interview with Chomsky by well-known writer and blogger Nathan Schneider that assesses Chomsky's writings on anarchism to date, this is a book that is sure to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Profoundly relevant to our times, On Anarchism is a touchstone for political activists and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of anarchism and the man dubbed the "nation's conscience."
Synopsis
The definitive primer on anarchist thought and practice, from the thinker the New York Times Book Review calls "the most widely read voice on foreign policy on the planet"
"The essence of anarchism is] the conviction that the burden of proof has to be placed on authority and that it should be dismantled if that burden cannot be met." --Noam Chomsky
With the specter of anarchy being invoked by the Right to sow fear, a cogent explanation of the political philosophy known as anarchism has never been more urgently needed. In On Anarchism, radical linguist, philosopher, and activist Noam Chomsky provides it. Known for his brilliant evisceration of American foreign policy, state capitalism, and the mainstream media, Chomsky remains a formidable and unapologetic critic of established authority and perhaps the world's most famous anarchist.
On Anarchism sheds a much-needed light on the foundations of Chomsky's thought, specifically his constant questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. The book gathers his essays and interviews to provide a short, accessible introduction to his distinctively optimistic brand of anarchism. Chomsky eloquently refutes the notion of anarchism as a fixed idea, suggesting that it is part of a living, evolving tradition, and he disputes the traditional fault lines between anarchism and socialism, emphasizing the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
Including a retrospective interview with Chomsky where the author assesses his writings on anarchism to date, this is a book that is sure to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Profoundly relevant to our times, On Anarchism is a touchstone for political activists and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of anarchism and the power of collective action.
About the Author
Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor emeritus of linguistics at MIT and the author of numerous books including Chomsky vs. Foucault: A Debate on Human Nature, On Language, Objectivity and Liberal Scholarship, and Towards a New Cold War (all available from The New Press). He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nathan Schneider writes for The Nation and is an editor for the blogs Waging Nonviolence, a source for daily news and analysis on resistance movements around the world, and Killing the Buddha, an online magazine of religion, culture, and politics. His own website is The Row Boat.