POLS 1000 Worksheet: Who Rules the World? Pt. 1 Instructions. Please follow the guidelines used for all other worksheet assignments. The questions below are based on readings assigned last week from Chomsky’s Who Rules the World, “Introduction, Chapter 4, and Chapter 5. The last question includes additional material assigned this week. • In what ways does Chomsky’s argument parallel the argument made by Domhoff, particularly with regard to who exercises significant influence over US Government policy? For this response, you are required to draw from different parts of Chomsky’s argument. (HINT. Look for information both in the introduction and in Ch. 4; you can also see Ch. 12) Chomsky and Domhoff contend that influential economic interests—whether corporations or affluent people—significantly affect US political policy. Both emphasize the importance of indirect forms of influence, such as lobbying and media sway, as well as how the general people may not be completely aware of these forms of power. • (a) What is the “Grand Area” and (b) what was/is America’s policy within the Grand Area? Provide recent examples from the book (or based on your own research). Write your response to (a) in the top row of the box and your response to (b) in the bottom row. The phrase "Grand Area" refers to the geographic regions that US strategists believed strategically important to the country's interests during World War II and the immediate postwar years. This comprised the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and Western Europe. Using military power, economic pressure, and covert activities, the United States' objective in the "Grand Area," which consists of Western Europe, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East, was to maintain control and thwart any threats to its dominance. Recent instances include the Middle Eastern authoritarian regimes' support and the invasion of Iraq. Additionally, the US keeps military forces stationed in important regions of Northeast Asia. The US wants to safeguard its political and economic interests and keep its dominant position in the world, and this strategy reflects that ambition. • According to Chomsky, why did the United States not support the emergence of democracy within most the Grand Area in general and in the Arab World specifically? Explain. Chomsky contends that because it would endanger US interests in the region, the US did not assist the growth of democracy inside the Grand Area, and particularly in the Arab world. Democracy would give the residents of these areas more control over their own affairs, which might result in governments that put their own interests ahead of that of the US. Democracy may also breed antiAmerican attitudes and actions that could reduce US influence in the region. Chomsky notes that because they are more friendly to US interests, authoritarian regimes in the region have historically received backing from the US. These governments frequently accept US cooperation in matters like trade and oil production, and they act as vital bases for US military operations. Chomsky contends that the US has employed a number of strategies to thwart democratic movements in the area, including backing coups, providing funds to opposition organizations, and carrying out covert operations to overthrow democratic regimes. Chomsky also asserts that the US's backing for authoritarian governments in the region is a part of a larger plan to keep control of the region's resources, particularly oil. In this situation, democracy might result in the nationalization of the oil industry, which would be counterproductive to US interests. To maintain its hegemonic position and safeguard its interests, the US has actively sought to thwart the rise of democracy in the Grand Area, including the Arab world. • For decades, American leaders and Americans in general have complained about the “campaign of hatred” against the US. Typically, though, little thought is given to the question, “Why do they hate us?” Chomsky offers at least a partial answer. What is his answer? In response to the topic of why there is a "campaign of hatred" against the United States, Chomsky claims that these people are resentful and angry because of the US's policies and deeds in the Grand Area and elsewhere in the world. He contends that the US's efforts to establish global hegemony, backing of authoritarian governments, participation in conflicts, and economic exploitation have created the impression that the US prioritizes its own interests over the welfare of the people in these areas. • According to Chomsky, what important scapegoating strategy do the powerful use to divert attention from their excessive power and influence? Who are the primary scapegoats and how effective is the strategy? Chomsky contends that the strong employ scapegoating tactics to draw attention away from their undue influence and power by placing the blame for social and economic issues on marginalized groups like minorities and immigrants. Because it capitalizes on people's fears and prejudices, this tactic works well. The US has been particularly vulnerable to this tactic, which has resulted in laws that are discriminatory and policies like tighter border controls. The tactic, however, has inherent limitations and can only be effective if people are ignorant of the true root causes of these issues. People should be aware of the true causes and resist attempts to place the blame on underprivileged groups. • As an example of how corporate interests shape US policy towards other countries, Chomsky points to the end of the Cold War (i.e., the rivalry for global dominance between the US and the Soviet Union). By all accounts, the end of the Cold War should have led to a large reduction in US military spending-after all, America's central military rival more-or-less gave up. Yet, spending did not significantly decrease even under under Bill Clinton, a liberal Democrat. Why didn't spending decrease and how was the decision not to decrease military spending justified? According to Chomsky, despite the fact that US military spending should have decreased following the Cold War, it didn't because influential firms pressured lawmakers. The concept of a "peace dividend" was used to support the decision to retain high military spending, although it was not actively pursued. Instead, defense spending that benefited corporate interests was maintained using justifications like the need to uphold global dominance and combat rogue states and terrorism. • What did you find most interesting in the Chomsky reading thus far? Do you agree or disagree with Chomsky’s admittedly progressive views? Explain. Chomsky's claim that corporate interests considerably affect US foreign policy, particularly in the areas of military spending and overseas intervention, is one of the reading's most intriguing points. • Do the “supplemental readings” and video support or contradict Chomsky’s argument? Explain. Note. To receive full credit, you must cite specific information from the additional readings and video. According to Horace Campbell's paper, "The U.S. Military and the African Front: Security, Austerity and Democracy," US military participation in Africa is motivated by the military-industrial complex's desire to increase its market share and power on the continent. As long as these regimes serve US interests and uphold the status quo, the US government and military have a long history of supporting dictatorships and oppressive regimes in Africa, according to Campbell. This shows that rather than the needs and ambitions of African people, US policy toward Africa is influenced by the interests of large businesses. In the video "Noam Chomsky on American Empire," Chomsky asserts that corporate interests have a significant impact on US foreign policy. He uses the US military's involvement in Vietnam, Iraq, and other places as instances to support his claim that these actions were motivated by the militaryindustrial complex and other business entities. Chomsky also points out that US businesses' interests, notably in the areas of resource exploitation and access to cheap labor, have impacted US policy towards Latin America.
