The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many

A short book of interview excerpts. Chomsky argues that the purpose behind NAFTA (a new deal at the time the book was published) was to open up Mexico to American industries searching for cheap labor. Since the standard of living in Mexico is lower than in the U.S., and since the workers don't benefit from the same civil rights, NAFTA gives U.S. companies access to a virtually unlimited source of what amounts to slave-employees. Of course, Mexico isn't the only 3rd World nation to experience such U.S. incursions; we have a commercial (and military) presence in a number of nations in South America, Asia, and Africa. U.S. taxpayers categorically foot the bill for the costs of opening up the foriegn territories for U.S. interests (particulary where military invasions are involved, such as in Colombia), but the companies alone reap the benefits of the cheap labor. And any resulting layoffs here at home (part of the cost reduction) puts a drain on the unemployment fund, which also comes out of our taxes.Chomsky also points out how U.S. and state governments routinely grant subsidies to businesses (another drain on taxes), effectively instituting welfare for corporations. He notes that the economic structure in the U.S. is slowly evolving toward the model of the 3rd World, where most of the money lies in the hands of a few individuals, the vast majority of the population consists of the working poor, and the governments invariably support the interests of the upper classes. Chomsky's spoken word album FREE MARKET FANTASIES discusses some of these same subjects. I don't know if I agree completely with all of Chomsky's views, but it certainly makes me want to dig up more information on the subjects. Thought-provoking, engaging, and quick to read.

It's a good book. This is a good way to introduce chomsky; my first of many reads by him. The book isn't terribly difficult and has many good points. I don't agree with his points, but he allows for one to think and analyze in a different manner, a more dark and scutinizing point of view.