Power Systems: Conversations on Global Democratic Uprisings and the New Challenges to U.S. Empire

In this series of interviews with activist-journalist David Barsamian, noted political theorist and linguist Noam Chomsky details the essence of power in the modern political world and describes the tendency of major social institutions to generate propaganda that perpetuates elitist control. These recordings took place not in a studio, but rather in Chomsky’s office. In fact, at several points during the sessions, we hear the muted electronic buzzing of what must be a telephone. However, nonceremonious production values fit nicely with Chomsky’s no-nonsense approach. Barsamian serves as an effective interviewer, guiding the flow of conversation around a series of recurring themes while making room for hard-hitting, off-the-cuff insights from Chomsky. A Metropolitan paperback. (Jan.)