Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies - Noam Chomsky

This introduces the propaganda model of media analysis, noting that resistance is possible, necessary & effective.PrefaceDemocracy & the mediaContaining the enemy The bounds of th expressibleAdjuncts of government The utility of interpretationsAppendix 1/The propaganda model: some methodological considerations On critical balance Appendix 2/The containment doctrine The red scare Appendix 3/The sanctity of borders Appendix 4/The craft of "historical engineering"The obligation of silence The summits The media & international opinionDemolishing the accords Appendix 5/The US & Costa Rican democracy"The evil scourge of terrorism" Heroes & devils The "peace process" in the Middle East The best defense La Prensa & its colleagues "The courage to preserve civil liberties"The continuing struggleNotesIndex

Published: 1999-07-01 (South End Press (Boston))

ISBN: 9780896083660

Language: English

Format: Paperback, 432 pages

Goodreads' rating: -

Genres

Politics Philosophy History Sociology Nonfiction

Reviews

Glenn rated it

my first chomsky book. 've learned so much about middle American countries, media framing and how the 'power' need to be prooved by media.

Erroll rated it

Facts showing how the media has contributed to the effective conditioning of our worlds views.

Mead rated it

A bit of a tough, dry read, but more than worth your time.

Lynette rated it

Fantastically research study of how we are told what to believe in, how our judgments are altered, how logical analysis switched off when we are manipulated by media.... that might not even do it 100% consciously.This is a great stuff, but Chomsky's books are so full of detailed case studies, one after another, that you just feel overwhelmed at times.

Eartha rated it

The actual main part of the book is short but there are multiple appendices added to give evidence to the five chapters that make it up and explain certain methods in more detail. Chomsky uses the Iran-contra affair as the situation in which to explain how the media in democratic societies control the narrative from both sides, omit the truth, and promote one side of the story opposed to others. Media outlets go along with the official story or sometimes don't report certain things that would make the country they reside in look bad. This behavior is also done individually creating a culture of self censorship.