In “Who Rules the World?”, Chomsky delves into America’s history of military interventions and regime changes—all in the name of preserving “national security.” He documents America’s numerous invasions and occupations, detailing how each one has led to more chaos and violence, not less. He also sheds light on America’s support for brutal dictatorships around the world, highlighting how this has invariably led to repression and human rights abuses.
All of this is done with the aim of furthering America’s global hegemony. As Chomsky puts it, “The U.S. does not seek world domination—it already dominates the world.” This is made possible by America’s status as the world’s only superpower, as well as its massive military machine which gobbles up over half of the world’s annual spending on arms.
The American corporate elite have long understood that military force is an effective tool for opening up new markets and furthering their interests abroad. As Chomsky writes, “The basic principle is simple enough: if you want something done, get the state to do it.” This is why they have no qualms about using their considerable clout to pressure politicians into starting wars or carrying out other destabilizing actions in countries that don’t toe the line. In other words, as long as it benefits their bottom line, they couldn’t care less about the death and destruction wrought by these policies.
“Who Rules the World?” is a searing indictment of American foreign policy. Through careful analysis and reasoning, Chomsky lays bare the ugly truth about America’s role in the world. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what’s really going on behind the scenes in today’s global political landscape.