Preview

Hegemony or Survival

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1729 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hegemony or Survival
In a country of complicated decisions made by politicians about far away places and the people that live there, it's only a guess as to the motives behind each of these decisions. In Noam Chomsky's book "Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance", Noam gives a scrupulously researched critique of America's quest for dominance at any cost that not only has cast us in the role of a rogue superpower but also jeopardizes the very survival of humanity. From reading this book, I will give an account as to what Chomsky says about American hegemonic ideals and give him credit for the attempt that he has made to expose historical truth. In the first chapter of this book Chomsky ponders the idea of human existence and if our stupidity overpowers intelligence to not destroy ourselves. From there Chomsky identifies two superpowers in the world right now: "the United States and world public opinion. (pg 4) Chomsky points out that every American president, dating back centuries, seems to have had their own disgraceful foreign policy that, no matter how liberal the president, has directly pillaged, plundered, and terrorized another country, or as has supported another regime that has pillaged, plundered, and terrorized their own country. Chomsky ends with says that when hope is destroyed, democracy is allowed. (pg 10) In the second chapter of Chomsky's book, he immediately uses a quote from the National Security Strategy saying that America's goal is to be the center of the world and will attempt to stomp out anyone who tries to stop them. (pg 11) Enforcing hegemony is the next step for America. The main idea for this is breaking U.N. rules if necessary and shut down any opposition. (pg 14) In the international spot light, the foreign diplomacy of the U.S. is not only, talking the talk, but walking it as well. This is in the sense of invading a country whenever we like. (pg 17) He then states that America may flex its muscle by detaining whoever,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Strains In The Unipolar Order And Multilateralism
    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Strains In The Unipolar Order And Multilateralism

    These controversies tarnished America’s image at the peak of its world power. America traditionally views the nation as a city on a hill, but foreign governments and citizens saw a Washington arrogant with power and indifferent to problems such as global warming, mass starvation in Africa, AIDs, and weapon proliferation. It was clear that the unipolar order was far from a harmony of interest, let alone a universal embrace of American…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    George Bush's Military Strategy
    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages

    George Bush's Military Strategy

    One of the defining elements of George Bush’s presidency was his decision to invade Iraq in an effort to prevent the use of their alleged WMDs, even though no such weapons existed. While many analysts have heavily criticised this foreign policy, we can clearly see the rationale behind it in Bush’s The National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Throughout, he routinely claims that the United States is unrivaled on the world stage in terms of power and influence, and that the US plans to use this to create decades of peace, prosperity, and liberty around the world. However, he concedes that while the US is undoubtedly the strongest state in the world, this strength is in traditional terms, and that many of the modern threats…

    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Roosevelt's Arsenal of Democracy Analysis
    • 1556 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Roosevelt's Arsenal of Democracy Analysis

    Cited: Roosevelt, Franklin Delano. “The Great Arsenal of Democracy.” Language Matters. Third ed. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 433-42. Print.…

    • 1556 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    American Imperialism; “World Domination”?
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    American Imperialism; “World Domination”?

    The concept of American Imperialism was first popularized during the presidency of James K. Polk. He led America into the Mexican American War of 1846 where America took more than 55 percent of Mexico’s land. Fifty-four years later, American Imperialism was once again popularized; hence, America’s desire for land was awakened. America felt that their expansion of land was both for human’s sake and for the economic and social benefit. With this idealism, Americans thought American Imperialism would be a crucial movement towards America’s prosperity.…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Manifest Destiny Analysis
    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Manifest Destiny Analysis

    Around the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, America was at its peak of power. We were and still are a strong social, economic and political nation. It was because of this that America had become obsessed with expansion. Even after we expanded as far west as our boarders would allow; we still needed more land. The United States needed to expand overseas. The only way we could do this was through an imperialistic beginning. Along with our obsession with expansion, America is obsessed with money, the idea of manifest destiny, and-to some extent-national security. In order to obtain these desires, we, the United States, will do just about anything if need be.…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Communism Vs Cold War
    • 1225 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Communism Vs Cold War

    As described before, democracy is a government run by its people. Economically, democracy relies on the concept of capitalism, the idea that equal opportunity is given to all and competition is vital. Politically, individualism is supported and the government fights for its people. However, communism is a stark contrast to democracy, with the government controlling almost everything that was once privately owned. Communism believes in an equal outcome for the people, and everything is shared equally. Politically, there is a centralized government, where uniformity is pursued. In this case, the people protect the government for the greater good. Communism is easily dominated by totalitarian dictatorships, something that democracy directly opposes. In a Soviet perspective of the U.S.’s actions, it is described that the U.S. covers their “claims of one power for world domination” by enforcing propaganda, and hiding their wants “to secure a dominant position in the capitalist world” (Document 6). The Soviet Union has different values in their communist government, and as a result, share different views than the American people. Propaganda, information created by the government to promote a biased political view, shows this difference. In this document, it is clear that the Soviets do not see the U.S. in the same light as Americans do. As fear and stubbornness continue to intensify, “irresponsible statements” and “deepening suspicions” start to form between the two superpowers, as they fight for dominance and power (Document 7). The opposing ideologies get in the way of the other for global domination, and the rift only grows as these differences are acknowledged by the people. These two ideologies that are complete opposites adds to the intensity as perspectives and propaganda influence the way the public sees…

    • 1225 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    An Overview: What Uncle Sam Really Wants
    • 2627 Words
    • 11 Pages

    An Overview: What Uncle Sam Really Wants

    "How well have the precepts put forth by George Kennan been followed? How thoroughly have we put aside all concern for "vague and unreal objectives such as human rights, the raising of the living standards, and democratization"?" Well, "in one high-level document after another, US planners stated their view that the primary threat to the new US-led world order was Third World nationalism -- sometimes called ultranationalism: "nationalistic regimes" that are…

    • 2627 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Imperialism In The United States
    • 1828 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Imperialism In The United States

    United States imperialism is the practice employed by its government and people to expand and maintain control and influences of other nations. The triggers of imperialism are national superiority, economic benefits and military strength. “There's a debate going on in Washington about whether the United States has become an imperialist power since the cold war ended little more than a decade ago” (Holt). The ending of the cold war signifies a turning point for many but According to Holts this is a pointless debate “The United States has been imperialist since the days of Thomas Jefferson”. The way people see and experience imperialism has changed since its inception, but one thing is clear, the United States of America has always been an imperialistic…

    • 1828 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Imperialism Debate Essay
    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Imperialism Debate Essay

    Under the pretext of spreading democracy and a Western value system, America’s military intervene causes our endless warfare…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Realism: a Greater Explanation for World War I
    • 2059 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Realism: a Greater Explanation for World War I

    The theory of Hegemonic stability reinforces that for the international system to remain stable, it “requires a single dominant state to articulate and enforce the rules on interaction among the most important members of the system” (Ferraro on Hegemony). “The system is a collective good which means that it is plagued by a ‘free rider’ syndrome. Thus, the hegemon must induce or coerce other states to support the system” (Ferraro on Hegemony). To a realist, the international system must be anarchical with no central authority, promoting greater diversity, opposed to a plethora of empires (Ferraro on Realism). This means the hegemon will not rule other nations, but induce a system that will be beneficial for all. To be a hegemon a state needs to…

    • 2059 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On American Identity
    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On American Identity

    The Americans enforce their power over other nations, cultures, and governments because they prefer being in control. The Native Americans were drastically affected in the 1830’s because “the federal government forced them to leave their homelands and walk thousands of miles to a specially designated “Indian territory” across the Mississippi River” (“Trail of Tears”). The American government overpowered the Natives for their own benefit. Although the Americans have used their power negatively in the past, this country now uses power to benefit the nation in a more positive form. This thirst for power has caused this country to be “the world’s sole superpower” (Joseph S. Nye Jr.). The United States currently controls a large portion of the economy in the world and also influences the decisions of other major countries. America is defined by power and urge to…

    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Cultural Hegemony
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Cultural Hegemony

    Hegemony is “the power or dominance that one social group holds over others” (Lull, 33). This definition from James Lull in Chapter 4 of Gender, Race, and Class in Media proves to be the simplest explanation of the word. Put even more simply, hegemony is the use of societal influence by a dominating group in society to oppress a weaker group, or to influence societal norms in their favor. Examples of cultural hegemony are noticeable all throughout our society today, as well as in our book. It is exemplified in Chapter 35, which shows the relationship of the pimp and hoe in hip-hop culture. The male is the masculine figure that socially dominates the females. Author Tricia Rose says that the male pimps of the hip-hop culture treat women with the attitude that “women are bitches, and bitches are whores and prostitutes” (Pg. 321). In addition to this example, there is one other example in the book that stands out. “When in Rome” by David Nylund has an article about a topic very near and dear to my heart: sports; and more specifically, sports talk shows. Jim Rome is one of the most prominent figures in sports talk and has a nationally syndicated radio talk show, and a show on ESPN. Rome is promoted as a brash, loud, and opinionated straight talker. More accurately, however, Rome merely yells and degrades homosexuals and women. It is important to analyze the audience that listens to talk radio. “Talk radio is aimed at a very desirable demographic: White middle-class men between the ages of 24 and 55 years. Research shows that talk radio listeners are overwhelmingly men who tend to vote Republican” (Nylund, 172). This is important because with the deregulation of the radio in the 1980’s, and the subsequent capitalization of the radio that followed, it was important to please your listeners, as they could always go elsewhere. This was, and still is, shown on conservative talk radio, where one side of any store is only ever told, and conservatives are always…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Is Terrorism Justified ?
    • 1991 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Is Terrorism Justified ?

    Cited: Chomsky, N. (2007). Failed states: the abuse of power and the assault on democracy. London: Penguin.…

    • 1991 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    United States Foreign Policy
    • 1826 Words
    • 8 Pages

    United States Foreign Policy

    Firstly, it is pertinent to reconsider the traditional narratives that underpin American identity. Inherent in this is Manifest Destiny, which asserts that Anglo-Saxon American’s are God’s chosen people, with a superior culture and who are pre-ordained to spread civilization to inferior peoples. This tradition offers instructive themes for the formulation of American exceptionalism and its manifestation into a missionary foreign policy. It also raises to the forefront the Manichean character of American policy, its solipsism and tendency to justify geopolitical objectives in moralistic terms. Thus, US foreign policy is a discourse for reproducing American identity, containing threats to its core principles and legitimating global actions. The Cold War era ended America’s historic vacillation between isolationism and internationalism. The Truman Doctrine committed, in part to “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures”. Consonant with American identity, it rapidly became the cornerstone of American Cold War foreign policy. The doctrine enshrined in popular culture the notion that America is vulnerable in a dangerous world. For this reason, it was a statement of both identity and global purpose, signaling to the…

    • 1826 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Hegemony
    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Essay On Hegemony

    Hegemony is a theory that is associated with Antonio Gramsci and is the idea where ideological control and manipulation is essential in order to establish dominance in the world. There are multiple examples of hegemony in the world we live in today. Political hegemony is an example of a country trying to control another country by using its power. For example, it can be said that the United States of America is a hegemon because of its economic and political dominance over many developing countries. The economic dominance of America can be seen clearly through its role in the global financial system. America can also be considered a hegemon because of its political influence by providing foreign aid to multiple countries which helps to further develop its political connections. The United States of America and its hegemonic power can be related to the philosophies of the conflict theory by Karl Marx. The conflict theory is based on economic and social class inequalities that produce conflicts…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics