Chomsky's ideas on "How the World Works"

"How the World Works" presents a collection of interviews and speeches of Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is an internationally acclaimed social critic. An MIT Professor, he is considered to be among the most cited authors in recent times. The book is one of a kind.

Notwithstanding the title credits, Chomsky actually wrote very little of the book. He spoke the contents instead. Arthur Naiman realised the accessibility of Chomsky’s vocal arguments. Therefore, he brought together the rich collection of Chomsky’s media appearances. Edited by Naiman, Chomsky's interviews were conducted by David Barsamian.

"How the World Works" is a must-read summary of Chomsky's radical ideas. Given his outspoken nature, his thoughts on the domestic politics of the US as well as his outlook on international relations are often sidelined by the local media.

Chomsky holds that the world works in the favour of a small group of rich elites. These people tend to garner benefits irrespective of the cost to others.

A noticeable flaw in the narrative of the book seems to be the lack of references. Since Chomsky's statements span a long time, the actual political premise around which particular observations are made remains evasive in the absence of proper references. Despite the apparent flaws, the book is a compelling introduction to Chomsky's political philosophy.

The contents of the book were earlier published as four separate short volumes under the famous "Real Story" series. The titles include "What Uncle Sam Really Wants"; "The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many"; "Secrets, Lies and Democracy"; and "The Common Good". Regardless of the passage of time, Chomsky's ideas continue to stay relevant.

​Noam Chomsky exposes the realities of the current geopolitics with unmatched clarity and dauntless arguments. The book is a must-read for students of world politics and anyone who has an interest in understanding international relations.