Can civilisation survive really existing capitalism? | Noam Chomsky
UCD - University College Dublin・29 minutes read
Maria and Karen arrived in Ireland without passports for an Amnesty International campaign, highlighting the impact of US capitalism on markets and environmental policies, influenced by corporate interests and lobbyists. The financial sector's heavy reliance on government support, along with the spread of climate change denial in educational curricula, reflects a broader pattern of corporate influence impacting public trust in scientific research and decision-making processes.
Insights
- Alan Greenspan's praise of free market systems overlooks the crucial role of the state in technological advancements, highlighting a key oversight in the narrative around capitalism and economic progress.
- Corporate-funded organizations actively promote climate change denial in educational curricula, influencing public opinion and undermining trust in scientific consensus, showcasing the powerful impact of vested interests on shaping societal beliefs and policies.
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Recent questions
What is the impact of advertising on consumer choices?
Advertising promotes product differentiation and influences consumer decisions.
How do oligopolies affect markets?
Oligopolies intensify in various sectors, leading to collusion and market undermining.
What role does the government play in technological advancements?
Alan Greenspan's praise of free market systems overlooks the state's crucial role in technological progress.
How do corporate-funded organizations influence climate change denial?
Corporate-funded groups like ALEC and the Heartland Institute push for climate change denial in educational curricula, contrary to scientific consensus.
Why are non-voters discouraged in the US?
Non-voters, mostly Democrats, face barriers like voter suppression tactics, discouraging their participation in elections.
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Summary
00:00
"US Economic System: Oligopolies, Plutocracy, Climate Denial"
- Maria arrived with Karen without passports, courtesy of the Irish government for an Amnesty International campaign at Shannon Airport.
- The term "capitalism" encompasses various economic systems, with the US as a key example.
- The US economic system deviates from free-market capitalism, with significant profit increases for top corporations.
- Oligopolies in various sectors, like banking, have intensified, undermining markets and leading to collusion.
- Advertising undermines markets by promoting product differentiation and influencing consumer choices.
- Alan Greenspan's praise of free market systems overlooked the state's crucial role in technological advancements.
- The financial sector heavily relies on government insurance policies, like "too big to fail," providing significant advantages.
- The current political-economic system is described as a form of plutocracy, diverging from true democracy.
- Public opinion in the US favors environmental policies, contrasting sharply with actual government actions.
- Corporate-funded organizations like ALEC and the Heartland Institute push for climate change denial in educational curricula, contrary to scientific consensus.
23:04
Corporate lobbies sow doubt on climate science.
- Corporate lobbies actively sow doubts about the scientific consensus on human-induced global warming.
- Major players in this campaign include fossil fuel industry lobbies, the American Chamber of Commerce, Alec, and the Koch brothers.
- Conservative billionaires secretly fund groups casting doubt on climate change science, aiming to polarize the issue.
- The propaganda campaign has influenced US public opinion, making it more skeptical than the global norm.
- Sectors of the corporate world are attacking the educational system to counter public trust in scientific research.
- Non-voters in the US, mostly Democrats, are discouraged by barriers like voter suppression tactics.
- The US is pushed towards becoming a "stupid nation" by corporate interests to serve short-term gains.
- Market fundamentalism restricts choices and leads to inefficiencies, impacting public transportation and financial stability.
- Financial crises are exacerbated by market inefficiencies and the failure to address systemic risks.
- Legislation like the Dodd-Frank bill is weakened by corporate lobbyists, perpetuating the cycle of financial crises.
44:31
Indigenous vs Western Approach to Environment
- Indigenous societies, like those in Ecuador and Bolivia, are pushing for environmental conservation and sustainable development, while Western Hemisphere countries like the United States and Canada are focused on maximizing fossil fuel extraction for energy independence, disregarding the long-term environmental consequences.
