Search Connexions

Custom Search

Connexions Library

Articles, Books, Documents, Periodicals, Audio-Visual

Title Index

Author Index

Subject Index

Chronological Index

Format Index

Dewey Index

Library of Congress Index

Search the Library

Connexions Directory
of Associations & NGOs

Subject Index

Associations Index

Search the Directory

Selected Articles by
Subject Area

Donate or Volunteer

Your support makes our work possible. Please Donate Today

Volunteer Opportunities and Internships

Donate to Connexions
Get media attention with Sources


Profit over People
Neoliberalism and Global Order

Chomsky, Noam

Publisher:  Seven Stories Press, New York, NY 10013, USA
Year Published:  1999   First Published:  1999
Pages:  176pp   Price:  $22.95   ISBN:  1-888363-82-7
Library of Congress Number:  HB95.C516 1998   Dewey:  330.122 - dc21
Resource Type:  Book
Cx Number:  CX6147

Abstract:  In this collection of essays, Noam Chomsky argues that, under the guise of rhetoric championing democracy and the free market, the privileged minority orchestrates the global order to its own advantage. He maintains that influential groups within powerful nations, elites seeking to govern on behalf the supposedly ignorant masses, serve their own interests to the detriment of the majority.

Chomsky asserts that triumphalism regarding the success of the free market and democracy following the American victory in the Cold War is unfounded. Not only has experience shown that proclamations of the "end of history" are premature, but the lauded principles also remain illusory in practice. The doctrine of the free market, for example, is rigorously applied only when it benefits dominant Western business interests. Protectionist policies, anathema to free trade dogma, are pursued when it is to the advantage of the powerful, predominantly the United States, but denounced when adopted by nations with less international might. American refusal to accept disadvantageous decisions of the World Trade Organization is a case in point.

Similarly, the triumph of democracy is hailed worldwide, while the voice of the majority is in fact absent from much substantial decision-making. Chomsky emphasizes that the undemocratic nature of crucial decision-making processes is rooted in an elitist attitude, one that sees the common people as unable to evaluate what is in the nation's interests and instead prioritizes the interests of the minority. The Multilateral Agreement on Investment of the late 1990s is given by Chomsky as an example of such efforts to marginalize the popular masses from the halls of power.

Although the privileged few may attempt to rule without the consent of their constituents or through the construction of consent by manipulation, Chomsky reminds the reader that the majority retains "the ultimate weapon", the power of the many over the privilege of the few.

[Abstract by Tara McElroy]

Subject Headings

    Connexions Information Sharing Services
Connexions Document Library More than 1,000 articles for which the full text is available online — A-Z Index or Chronological Index
Connexions Library Catalogue A catalogue of more than 5,000 print, audio-visual and electronic resources — Title Index or Subject Index or Author Index.
Connexions Directory Associations and NGOs dealing with social and environmental issues — A-Z Index or Subject Index.. For experts and media spokespersons also see Sources Subject Index..
Links & Resources Selected Internet resources featuring information about alternatives.
Calendar Check out newsworthy events from across Canada. Plus: news releases from NGOs.
Publicity and Media Resources, publications and articles to assist your organization in getting publicity and raising awareness. Plus good prices for the Media Names & Numbers Canadian media directory, the Parliamentary Names & Numbers Canadian government directory, and mailing lists.
Donations Connexions welcomes your support. Your donations make our work possible.