Global Discontents - Conversations on the rising threats to Democracy by Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian is essentially a political commentary of the renowned linguist on the contemporary international relations and state of affairs with regards to democracy, climate change, the struggle of the masses against the powerful elite, the growing inequality of income with focus primarily on American politics.
The main argument presented by Chomsky is how the rich and powerful countries have distorted reality the world over to serve their self-interests. Although he doesn't mention the 80/20 rule by name, his arguments emphasize on the 20℅ of the people having concentrated power and decision making authority in their hands and refuse to share it with the rest 80℅ that would have enabled the creation of a just and equitable society.
For example, one is quite surprised to learn about the existence of an elite in the unlikeliest of conflicted areas of the world, Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian elite lives a comfortable life in Ramallah, an aspect that hardly ever gets talked about in mainstream media.
Being a Socialist he is bound to have anti-Capitalist thought process on a number of issues, he does make a few pertinent points.
For example, he is right when he highlights the self destructive nature of our political systems and our collective failure as a human race can prove quite catastrophic in future. The divided opinion in the global community over seriousness of climate change is a case in point. The collective responsibility he wishes we can take as humans despite the political and nationalist differences has resemblance with an Indian who had talked about Universalism of mankind a century ago. Rabindranath Tagore rated Universalism above narrow nationalism.
It is not just the oppression of the masses he talks about but also how they fight back to reclaim their shrinking space and rights.
For example, indigenous tribal people in various parts of the world are fighting against established power structures against exploitation of natural resources and forests highlight the positive developments.
The book is written in an analytical style and one may disagree with some of his views depending on our own political opinions, but it is good to get insights into the opinions of one of the foremost political thinkers of the world.
Approaching 90 years, he is as sharp as ever.
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