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Notes on Resistance

Notes on Resistance

by Noam Chomsky 2022 200 pages
4.35
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Key Takeaways

1. The US faces multiple crises: pandemic, climate, democracy, and nuclear threat

We are facing is often described as unprecedented. A pandemic, climate catastrophe, and always lurking off center stage, nuclear annihilation. Three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Multiple overlapping crises. The United States is confronting a convergence of existential threats, including the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating climate change, erosion of democratic norms, and the ever-present danger of nuclear war. These crises are interconnected and mutually reinforcing:

  • The pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing social inequalities
  • Climate change threatens to cause mass displacement and resource conflicts
  • Democratic backsliding undermines the ability to address other challenges
  • Nuclear proliferation remains a sword of Damocles over humanity

The scale and urgency of these crises require a coordinated, systemic response. However, political polarization and institutional gridlock have hampered effective action.

2. Republican Party has become an extremist organization threatening democracy

The Republican Party has openly dedicated—it's not even concealed—to undermining what remains of American democracy.

Descent into authoritarianism. The GOP has embraced increasingly extreme positions and anti-democratic tactics:

  • Voter suppression efforts targeting minorities and urban areas
  • Gerrymandering to entrench minority rule
  • Spreading disinformation about election fraud
  • Attempting to overturn legitimate election results
  • Condoning political violence like the January 6 insurrection

This shift threatens the foundations of American democracy. The party now functions more as an obstructionist force committed to minority rule than a normal political party in a democratic system. Its base has become radicalized, with a significant portion embracing conspiracy theories and rejecting basic facts about issues like climate change and COVID-19.

3. US foreign policy maintains global dominance through force and coercion

The United States is working very hard to prevent China's technological development and to prevent countries from using Chinese technology.

Hegemonic mindset. US foreign policy remains focused on maintaining global dominance and containing potential rivals:

  • Military interventions and regime change operations
  • Economic sanctions and coercion of allies
  • Efforts to block China's technological and economic development
  • Maintaining a global network of military bases
  • Resisting international agreements that could constrain US power

This approach generates resentment, instability, and conflict. It also diverts resources from pressing domestic and global challenges. A shift toward multilateralism and cooperation on shared threats like climate change and pandemics is urgently needed.

4. Neoliberalism has led to extreme inequality and erosion of social safety net

There is a fairly careful estimate of what's called the transfer of wealth from the lower 90 percent of the population to the top 1 percent, actually, a fraction of them, during the four decades of this assault. A RAND Corporation study estimated it as close to $50 trillion.

Wealth concentration. Forty years of neoliberal policies have produced:

  • Stagnant wages for most workers
  • Erosion of labor unions and worker protections
  • Financialization of the economy
  • Tax cuts primarily benefiting the wealthy
  • Deregulation favoring corporate interests
  • Privatization of public services

The result has been a massive upward redistribution of wealth and power. This extreme inequality undermines social cohesion, democratic governance, and economic stability. Reversing these trends will require a fundamental restructuring of the economy and strengthening of the social safety net.

5. Independent media and grassroots organizing are crucial for social change

What else is going to counter it? They are the ones who are holding up the hope that we'll be able to find ways to counter these highly harmful, destructive developments that we're discussing.

Building alternatives. In the face of corporate media dominance and political corruption, independent journalism and grassroots organizing are vital:

  • Independent media provide critical analysis and amplify marginalized voices
  • Labor unions and worker organizations fight for economic justice
  • Social movements raise awareness and push for policy changes
  • Community organizations build mutual aid networks and local power

These efforts create space for alternative narratives and mobilize people for collective action. They are essential for educating the public, shifting the Overton window of acceptable discourse, and ultimately forcing political and economic elites to make concessions.

6. Climate crisis requires urgent action within existing institutional framework

We have maybe ten or twenty years to overcome it. The means to overcome it are available. Robert Pollin, an economist at the University of Massachusetts, has done very detailed, careful studies. They're being implemented in some states and countries. There is very convincing evidence that, by investing maybe 2 percent to 3 percent of gross domestic product, we could bring all of this under control.

Feasible solutions exist. While the climate crisis is dire, there are achievable ways to mitigate its worst effects:

  • Rapid transition to renewable energy sources
  • Massive investments in energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure
  • Just transition programs for fossil fuel workers
  • Reforestation and ecosystem restoration
  • International cooperation and technology transfer

These solutions are technically and economically viable. The main obstacles are political will and vested interests. Overcoming them requires sustained pressure from social movements and a reorientation of economic priorities.

7. China's rise challenges US hegemony but cooperation is necessary

China is not subordinate to the United States. It cannot be intimidated by the United States. It's not like Europe, and that's unacceptable. If you're the global dominant hegemon, the mafia don, basically you can't accept successful defiance.

Shifting global order. China's economic and technological rise is challenging US global dominance:

  • Belt and Road Initiative expanding China's global influence
  • Chinese companies competing in high-tech sectors
  • China offering alternative development model to Global South

However, confrontation between the US and China risks catastrophic conflict. Cooperation on shared challenges like climate change, pandemic prevention, and nuclear non-proliferation is essential. A more multipolar world order may be inevitable and potentially stabilizing if managed carefully.

8. Optimism and activism are essential despite dire global circumstances

One thing that gives hope is that people are struggling hard under very severe circumstances, much more severe than we can imagine, to achieve rights and justice. They don't give up hope. Like the farmers in India. Or the people living in misery in Honduras. They don't give up, so we certainly can't.

Reasons for hope. Despite the gravity of global challenges, there are grounds for cautious optimism:

  • Grassroots movements achieving victories against powerful interests
  • Growing awareness of climate crisis and demand for action
  • Advances in renewable energy and other green technologies
  • Younger generations embracing progressive values and activism

Engaged citizenship and collective action remain the most powerful forces for positive change. Historical examples show that seemingly immovable systems can be transformed through persistent struggle. Maintaining hope and commitment in the face of adversity is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for creating a more just and sustainable world.

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FAQ

1. What is Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky about?

  • Comprehensive critique of power: The book offers a sweeping analysis of US and global politics, focusing on how power structures—political, economic, and media—shape society and resist democratic impulses.
  • Historical and contemporary focus: Chomsky connects the historical roots of US institutions and foreign policy to current crises like climate change, inequality, and international conflict.
  • Emphasis on resistance and hope: Despite grim realities, the book highlights the importance of activism, education, and solidarity as tools for challenging oppression and building a more just society.

2. Why should I read Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky?

  • Insight into power dynamics: The book provides a clear understanding of how elites maintain control through institutions, media, and the shaping of public opinion.
  • Relevance to current events: Chomsky addresses urgent issues such as environmental collapse, pandemics, inequality, and the erosion of democracy, making the book highly relevant today.
  • Guidance for activism: Readers gain practical advice on the importance of grassroots movements, coalition-building, and sustained activism beyond electoral politics.

3. What are the key takeaways from Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky?

  • Democracy is limited by design: The US Constitution was crafted to protect elite interests and limit popular participation, a legacy that continues to shape American politics.
  • Manufacturing consent: Power is maintained not just through laws but by shaping beliefs and perceptions, with media and intellectuals playing key roles in legitimizing the status quo.
  • Class struggle is ongoing: Without active participation by working people, wealth and power will continue to concentrate, undermining democracy and social justice.

4. How does Noam Chomsky analyze US foreign policy in Notes on Resistance?

  • Imperial dominance: The US seeks to maintain global dominance through military power, economic sanctions, and control over international institutions, often disregarding international law.
  • Focus on the Middle East: The book details US interventions in Iran, including coups, sanctions, and support for authoritarian regimes, motivated by oil and strategic interests.
  • Double standards and illegitimacy: Chomsky criticizes the US for imposing extraterritorial sanctions and escalating conflicts without just cause, while ignoring its own violations.

5. What does Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky reveal about US domestic issues?

  • Extreme economic inequality: The US has vast wealth concentration, with a tiny elite holding a disproportionate share while many face economic despair and declining life expectancy.
  • Infrastructure and public health failures: Despite its wealth, the US suffers from decaying infrastructure and a profit-driven health system, leading to poor outcomes during crises like COVID-19.
  • Cultural and legal shifts: The book examines the rise of gun culture, legal reinterpretations of the Second Amendment, and challenges to free speech and press freedom.

6. How does Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky address the environmental crisis and existential threats?

  • Climate crisis urgency: The book warns of accelerating global warming, deforestation, and the risk of irreversible tipping points that threaten civilization.
  • Nuclear war and pandemics: Chomsky highlights the dismantling of arms control treaties, increased nuclear risks, and the role of ecological destruction in fueling pandemics.
  • Need for systemic change: Addressing these threats requires urgent, coordinated action within existing institutions and efforts to reform or replace capitalist structures.

7. What is the concept of “manufacturing consent” in Notes on Resistance and why is it important?

  • Consent as power’s foundation: Drawing on thinkers like David Hume and Walter Lippmann, Chomsky explains that rulers maintain power by securing the consent of the governed, often by shaping beliefs.
  • Role of media and intellectuals: Media, public relations, and intellectuals act as “experts in legitimation,” managing public opinion to support elite interests and limit democratic participation.
  • Contemporary relevance: This concept explains why many accept policies that harm them and underscores the need for independent media and education to challenge dominant narratives.

8. How does Noam Chomsky describe activism and the prospects for change in Notes on Resistance?

  • Youth-led movements: The book highlights the significance of young leaders and groups like the Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion in pushing for climate and social justice.
  • Green New Deal and alliances: Chomsky praises the Green New Deal for mainstreaming environmental and economic justice, and stresses the need for broad coalitions across ideological divides.
  • Activism over elections: Sustained grassroots activism is essential for meaningful change, as elections alone are insufficient to address systemic problems.

9. What does Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky say about the US political system and the 2020 election?

  • Structural inequalities: The book critiques undemocratic features of the US system, such as the Senate’s disproportionate representation and the Electoral College’s distortions.
  • Party dynamics and polarization: Chomsky describes the Democratic Party’s shift away from the working class and the Republican Party’s radicalization and reliance on scapegoating.
  • Election threats and strategy: He discusses fears of post-election chaos, the fragility of US democracy, and advocates for pragmatic voting combined with ongoing activism.

10. How does Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky address media, free speech, and the case of Julian Assange?

  • First Amendment limitations: The book explains that the First Amendment prevents preemptive censorship but does not guarantee absolute free speech, with protections evolving over time.
  • Assange as journalist: Chomsky defends Julian Assange’s work as legitimate journalism, likening it to historic whistleblowing efforts that exposed government wrongdoing.
  • Threats to press freedom: The Trump administration’s attacks on the press and efforts to intimidate journalists are seen as serious threats to democracy and transparency.

11. What are Chomsky’s views on social movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo in Notes on Resistance?

  • Impact of Black Lives Matter: The movement brought systemic racism and police violence into mainstream discourse, achieving unprecedented popular support despite challenges.
  • #MeToo’s cultural shift: The movement raised global awareness of sexual harassment and violence, marking a significant step toward gender justice.
  • Strategic activism needed: Chomsky emphasizes the importance of clear messaging, education, and organization to sustain and build on these movements’ gains.

12. What are the best quotes from Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky and what do they mean?

  • On US power: George Kennan’s 1948 memo about maintaining global wealth disparity reveals the US’s intent to preserve its dominance at the expense of others.
  • On resistance: The State Department’s labeling of Cuba and Iran as “successful defiance” highlights the threat posed to US power by countries that refuse to capitulate.
  • On environmental despair: The Trump administration’s environmental assessment—“we’re finished, it’s all done anyhow”—illustrates a nihilistic acceptance of ecological collapse.
  • On activism and hope: “The new has not yet been born, but it is emerging…” underscores the importance of hope and activism amid crisis.

Review Summary

4.35 out of 5
Average of 100+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Notes on Resistance by Noam Chomsky receives high praise from readers, with an average rating of 4.35/5. Reviewers appreciate Chomsky's insightful analysis of global politics, US foreign policy, and social issues. The book, structured as interviews, covers topics like corporate power, environmental crises, and political shifts. While some find it repetitive, many consider it a wake-up call, praising Chomsky's direct approach and ability to connect historical events with current issues. Readers value his perspective on resistance and hope for positive change.

Your rating:
4.56
27 ratings

About the Author

Avram Noam Chomsky is a renowned American linguist, philosopher, and political activist. Born in 1928, he is an Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT. Chomsky revolutionized linguistics with his theory of generative grammar and contributed significantly to cognitive psychology. He is also known for his political commentary and criticism of US foreign policy. Chomsky's work spans various fields, including linguistics, philosophy, and politics. His influence extends beyond academia, and he is widely cited in scholarly literature. Chomsky's activism, particularly his opposition to the Vietnam War, has made him a prominent public intellectual and a leading voice in left-wing politics.

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