Class Warfare: Interviews with David Barsamian

by Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian

Book Overview

This collection of interviews offers Chomsky's views on himself and on such political issues as deficit spending, how free markets destroy competition, and why family values crusades destroy family... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567510922
• ISBN13: 9781567510928
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Common Courage Press
• Length: 185 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Not a bad place to start with chomsky

This is a series of interviews gien on alternative radio stations in the mid-90's. The subjects are common ones with Chomsky:power and its mis-uses. From the bungled CIA support in Afganistan,to deficit spending, a correct Reading of Adam smith, the family values tour and Newt Gingrich, Chomsky makes his point.I prefer his interviews because, frankly , I do not think he is a great writer. having read him while studying early childhood,this suprises me{he writes better scientificaly then politically}That being said, he remains the most vital ,important ,brilliant intellectual on our very thin landscape,and these interview are an excellent easy way to begin an introduction to the writings of Noam Chomsky.

Play it again, Sam

Barsamian has apparently figured out a way to benefit both himself and Chomsky by publishing interviews with the ever wide-ranging scourge of American foreign policy. For long-time readers, not much new should be expected from a casual book like this; nor is there. If any sub-theme surfaces, it is Chomsky's deepening opposition to corporate America. The book is aptly titled. In fact it would be difficult to find denunciations of big business more unequivocal or forceful anywhere, even in Marxist literature.There is one interesting development that emerges in *Class Warfare*. Chomsky seems to be appreciating at last that some kind of woolly anarchistic sentiments are powerless against the concentrated power of international capital. In this book, he appears to take a liberal turn, looking to big government as a necessary counterweight. At the same time, however, he acknowledges that politicians and their cronies are under heavy corporate sway. Is there logical room for manuever here? Perhaps, that is, if government can be wrested away from the death grip of big business,i.e. the Ralph Nader solution. If I'm correct in the framing, the MIT professor is at a pivotal point in his political evolution. On one hand, he's all too aware of the magnitude of the international problem, on the other, he's reluctant to endorse any kind of authoritarian response that would clash with his deep regard for non-authoritarian structures. To perhaps oversimplify, which then does he value more: relief for the economically oppressed or decentralized decision procedures. As the struggle for global supremacy develops, the two may not be at all compatible. I think he has shown in his many books what US-corporate foreign policy has wrought. Now is a good time for this most humane of thinkers to tackle the pressing analytical questions of our time.Any work that includes Noam Chomsky's research is worth buying. No other series so unflinchingly opens the eyes to the crushing realities of America's actions abroad.

Never been a better way to truly get to know Chomsky

Class Warfare is a collection of David Barsamian's interviews with Noam Chomsky, Professor of Linguistics, Linguistic Theory, Syntax, Semantics, and Philosophy of Language. This is a great book for the those unfamiliar with Chomsky; the easy to follow interview format places the reader face to face with Chomsky, all while covering a wide range of his philosophies. I am relatively new to the world of political science, and was truly shocked upon reading many of the things Chomsky had to say; it is this shock-value that I think causes many people to, as Barsamian would say, "stand in awe of his prolific output." While Chomsky is good at getting people aware of the rotten truth behind how the world actually works, it is still up to the reader to apply this information. In the introduction, Barsamian urges readers "to implement his simple formula for learning about the world and social change." Whether or not the reader chooses to engage in some sort of political action is unpredictable; but at least the reader will still be inspired to consider it. This book has taught me many invaluable lessons about politics, which eventually become lessons of human nature. It has also motivated me to start looking at some of Chomsky's other books, and also some books maybe he would disagree with. Basic, inspiring, effective, and at the same time an interesting read, Class Warfare is a great little book, well-worth the seemingly high price of fifteen dollars.

excellent point of entry for new Chomsky readers

An excellent overview of Chomsky's views on US imperialism. As always Mr Barsamian asks all the leading questions allowing Chomsky to expound his philosophy. In an interesting departure from his norm Chomsky gives a lot of detail regarding his personal life and coming to terms with the aging process. An excellent read all round.

This is great

Class Warfare is Chomsky at his finest. Barsamian asks pointed questions about classic issues such as race, the economy, U.S. foreign policy, etc. A class act