Critical Overview # 1: Chomsky
One common theme is Chomsky’s criticism of intellectuals and his interpretation of the basis for United States’ intervention. Chomsky argues that the basis that US intervention is largely based on strategic interests and that often intellectuals will perpetuate the idea the that pursing US interests is virtuous. Chomsky provides several valid critiques about the intellectual’s rule in supporting government propaganda and through their dismissal of those who criticize them. Although Chomsky rightfully accuses the United States for masking their pursuit of their interests in their mission to spread liberal ideals, he does not address the United States’ role in humanitarian intervention. In the face of massive human …show more content…
Although the United States “imperial grand strategy” is “to prevent any challenge to the ‘power, position and prestige of the United States,” there have been some valid humanitarian reasons for the United States to intervene. (Chomsky 14) For example, the United States humanitarian intervention with NATO in the Bosnian War and during the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in 1998. The United States has been inconsistent in their implementation of humanitarian intervention by intervening in some cases and not intervening in other cases (such as the Rwanda genocide). Although one could argue that the United States intervened during the Bosnia War and the Kosovo War to strength their credibility and US spheres of interests or the “net gain for American policy”, I believe that the massive atrocities that were occurring were also some of the reason why the United States intervened. (Chomsky 321) I believe in some human interventions it less based on the idea of advancing interests and rather due to the US’s “responsibility to protect”. As a hegemonic power, the United States somewhat bears the responsibility of being the role model for other states. If the United States intervenes other states will also intervene in a human rights issue, however, if the United States does nothing then the rest of the world will remain silent in the face of genocide and
One common theme is Chomsky’s criticism of intellectuals and his interpretation of the basis for United States’ intervention. Chomsky argues that the basis that US intervention is largely based on strategic interests and that often intellectuals will perpetuate the idea the that pursing US interests is virtuous. Chomsky provides several valid critiques about the intellectual’s rule in supporting government propaganda and through their dismissal of those who criticize them. Although Chomsky rightfully accuses the United States for masking their pursuit of their interests in their mission to spread liberal ideals, he does not address the United States’ role in humanitarian intervention. In the face of massive human …show more content…
Although the United States “imperial grand strategy” is “to prevent any challenge to the ‘power, position and prestige of the United States,” there have been some valid humanitarian reasons for the United States to intervene. (Chomsky 14) For example, the United States humanitarian intervention with NATO in the Bosnian War and during the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in 1998. The United States has been inconsistent in their implementation of humanitarian intervention by intervening in some cases and not intervening in other cases (such as the Rwanda genocide). Although one could argue that the United States intervened during the Bosnia War and the Kosovo War to strength their credibility and US spheres of interests or the “net gain for American policy”, I believe that the massive atrocities that were occurring were also some of the reason why the United States intervened. (Chomsky 321) I believe in some human interventions it less based on the idea of advancing interests and rather due to the US’s “responsibility to protect”. As a hegemonic power, the United States somewhat bears the responsibility of being the role model for other states. If the United States intervenes other states will also intervene in a human rights issue, however, if the United States does nothing then the rest of the world will remain silent in the face of genocide and