World renowned linguist and philosopher, Noam Chomsky, joins Abby Martin to discuss the so-called War on Terror, the warped political spectrum in the United States, and how power functions in the Empire.

Chomsky argues that both the Democratic and Republican party have shifted to the right, with Republicans going “off the spectrum”, dedicating themselves to the interests of the extremely wealthy and powerful, and today’s Democrats becoming what used to be called moderate Republicans.

Delving into libertarianism and the role of predatory capitalism, Chomsky discusses the institution of neoliberal policies, which have pushed for things like major financial institution bailouts, and government subsidies to energy corporations. The contention that markets provide choices is farcical, argues Chomsky, as the market focuses you on individual consumption of consumer goods. “New libertarians”, according to Chomsky, are deeply confused as to the meaning and history behind classical libertarianism, and what they propose would lead to society collapsing,

Describing the Iraq war as of one of the last century’s greatest atrocities, Chomsky asks what right the United States has in bombing or invading a country, for whatever reason. While there is a lot of criticism in regards to the US killing civilians inside Kunduz hospital, “what about killing [Taliban members]”, asks Chomsky. “What right do we have to kill somebody in some other country?”

Abby Martin once again takes up beyond the headlines and brings us to the very heart of the issues in this episode of The Empire Files.

Noam Chomsky & Abby Martin: The Empire’s Election Extravaganza

**

FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles and @AbbyMartin

WATCH // YouTube.com/EmpireFiles

Americans grow up learning history through the lens of a victorious US empire. This notion isn’t just bred through the educational system – every major institution in society maintains the same perspective in order to help unify the people under a national identity.

Although it benefits the whole if there is a sense of unity among the population, the false belief that an arbitrary national border makes one human better than the other is socially destructive. Not only is this isolated worldview of American exceptionalism insulting to non-Americans, it’s a propaganda tool used to manufacture consent for the US government’s disastrous and hypocritical policies.

Throughout the last half century, the United States has acted as military arbitrator of the world, policing other countries in the name of “freedom” while constantly waging war to undermine other nations’ democracies.

This classified history of America is deeply explored in a ten-part documentary Showtime series called The Untold History of the United States, a film adaptation of the joint book authored by Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and prolific historian Peter Kuznick.

The epic saga looks back with a critical eye at historical events that went under reported at the time, but ended up crucially shaped America over the 20th century. From the dropping of two atomic bombs over Japan to the Cold War and the fall of Communism, this in-depth, provocative documentary series challenges many Americans’ long held political paradigms.

Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick have corrected American history on Breaking the Set before. Recently, they came on again to discuss the truth behind everything from JFK’s legacy to Obama’s expansion of the surveillance state.

Abby

***

Abby Martin Breaks the Set with Oliver Stone and Historian Peter Kuznick.

***

LIKE Breaking the Set @ http://fb.me/BreakingTheSet
FOLLOW Abby Martin @ http://twitter.com/AbbyMartin