Introduction
Keeping
the Rabble in Line is a sequel as well
as a departure from Chronicles of Dissent. In this latest
collection Noam Chomsky focuses on economic and trade issues and the
emerging global economic order. While an increasingly spectacle-driven
media wine and dine us on a menu of O.J. Simpson, Tonya Harding, or
whatever the current diversion is, major shifts in the international
scene are occurring. As Chomsky points out, nation-states are becoming
increasingly challenged by the power and reach of transnational
corporations. The latter may be the defining feature of the coming era.
Our response will be crucial. Again and again in these interviews and
elsewhere Chomsky suggests the need to organize and become active.
Passive consumption of information is not enough. Rabble will hopefully
get people moving in a practical direction, be it direct action
protests, getting involved with or establishing a community radio
station, producing and distributing a video, starting a bookstore,
publishing a newsletter or having discussions in your living room with a
few friends.
I
think Chomsky's contribution lies in the fact that he constantly
stresses not just the need to be informed and act but that we are all
capable of doing so. His own commitment, involvement and accessibility
is a concrete example. He is a cartographer. He provides a detailed road
map to assist in figuring out where things are and in charting out
routes. And in another sense he is a memory bank. So while the
punditocracy engineer history Chomsky is there as a constant corrective
to remind us about the concerted U.S. effort to destroy popular
organizations in post-war Europe or the monstrous crimes of the
Indochina War or the real accomplishments of the Nixons, Kissingers,
Clintons and other luminaries who direct the global pillage.
The
interviews in this collection were recorded in Chomsky's office at MIT
or by phone. "Crime and Gun Control" was a live radio call-in
on KGNU in Boulder. Titles reflect the core theme of the interviews but
each discussion covers several topics. Many people from all over ask me
to ask him certain questions. It would be impossible to acknowledge
everyone's contribution but Carlos Otero in particular has been most
helpful with his criticisms, suggestions and encouragement. My thanks to
Sandy Adler for her transcriptions. Much appreciation to Noam Chomsky
for his time and effort.
David
Barsamian
August 1, 1994
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