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Noam Chomsky
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Profit Over People: Neoliberalism & Global Order Paperback – January 1, 1999

by Noam Chomsky (Author), Robert W. McChesney (Introduction)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 871 ratings
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Why is the Atlantic slowly filling with crude petroleum, threatening a millions-of-years-old ecological balance? Why did traders at prominent banks take high-risk gambles with the money entrusted to them by hundreds of thousands of clients around the world, expanding and leveraging their investments to the point that failure led to a global financial crisis that left millions of people jobless and hundreds of cities economically devastated? Why would the world's most powerful military spend ten years fighting an enemy that presents no direct threat to secure resources for corporations?
The culprit in all cases is neoliberal ideology—the belief in the supremacy of "free" markets to drive and govern human affairs. And in the years since the initial publication of Noam Chomsky's Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order, the bitter vines of neoliberalism have only twisted themselves further into the world economy, obliterating the public’s voice in public affairs and substituting the bottom line in place of people’s basic obligation to care for one another as ends in themselves. In Profit Over People, Chomsky reveals the roots of the present crisis, tracing the history of neoliberalism through an incisive analysis of free trade agreements of the 1990s, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund—and describes the movements of resistance to the increasing interference by the private sector in global affairs.
In the years since the initial publication of Profit Over People, the stakes have only risen. Now more than ever, Profit Over People is one of the key texts explaining how the crisis facing us operates—and how, through Chomsky’s analysis of resistance, we may find an escape from the closing net.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Seven Stories Press
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5.43 x 0.5 x 8.21 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781888363821
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1888363821
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Profit Over People is Noam Chomsky at his best. His critique of our political and economic system is brilliant and devastating. This is a powerful rush of facts and ideas. Don't stand too close.” —Howard Zinn

About the Author

Born in Philadelphia in 1928, NOAM CHOMSKY is known throughout the world for his political writings, activism, and for for his groundbreaking work in linguistics. A professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 1955, Chomsky gained recognition in academic circles for his theory of transformational grammar, which drew attention to the syntactic universality of all human languages. But it is as a critic of unending war, corporate control and neoliberalism that Chomsky has become one of the country’s most well known public intellectuals. The 1969 publication of American Power and the New Mandarins marked the beginning of Chomsky’s rigorous public criticism of American hegemony and its lieges. Since then, with his tireless scholarship and an unflagging sense of moral responsibility, he has become one of the most influential writers in the world. Chomsky is the author of Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media (with Edward S. Herman), Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order, and over one hundred other books. To this day Noam Chomsky remains an active and uncompromising voice of dissent.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1888363827
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Seven Stories Press; 42784th edition (January 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781888363821
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1888363821
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.43 x 0.5 x 8.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 871 ratings

About the author

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Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky

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Avram Noam Chomsky (/ˈnoʊm ˈtʃɒmski/; born December 7, 1928) is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, logician, social critic, and political activist. Sometimes described as "the father of modern linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy, and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He has spent more than half a century at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is Institute Professor Emeritus, and is the author of over 100 books on topics such as linguistics, war, politics, and mass media. Ideologically, he aligns with anarcho-syndicalism and libertarian socialism.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/culturaargentina [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
871 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and insightful, providing an eye-opening perspective on the economic system. They appreciate the pacing and arguments of the author. The vocabulary includes quotes from historical and contemporary figures, as well as long lists of references for each chapter. Many readers find the book worth reading and consider it worthwhile. However, some customers report spelling and grammar errors throughout, while others praise the clear writing style and conciseness.

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InsightReadabilityPacingVocabularyValue for moneyWriting quality
50 customers mention "Insight"47 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into the economic system and neoliberal mindset. They find it informative and helpful for expanding their thinking. The author provides thorough analysis and explanations of how society has become messed up.

"...Noam Chomsky's book is extremely worth reading as it gives the reader so many insights into the mechanisms of the neoliberal economic policies..." Read more

"...This article suggests that people cherish democractic ideals and therefore might have the capacity to successfully demand and win change -- even..." Read more

"...I find the material interesting and provocative...." Read more

"...of current policy then Noam Chomsky offers a strong expose of capitalism and globalization...." Read more

50 customers mention "Readability"48 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They say it's worth reading, with interesting material and relevant examples. Many consider it one of Noam Chomsky's best-written books.

"...Noam Chomsky's book is extremely worth reading as it gives the reader so many insights into the mechanisms of the neoliberal economic policies..." Read more

"...I find the material interesting and provocative...." Read more

"...This is a great book if you want to spend the majority of your time on Wikipedia trying to figure out what the hell is going on...." Read more

"...This is why i gave it 4 stars instead of 5. However, great informative read." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing good. They find Chomsky's arguments convincing and praise his writing style.

"...I found myself agreeing with Chomsky on most issues; his arguments are extremely convincing. The Bad:..." Read more

"This man in brilliant, love the writing style. Even for a new be like me in this topic, this book was an easy and entraining read...." Read more

"Noam Chomsky is brilliant. However this book mostly repeats a lot of his other work and lectures...." Read more

"Ultimate Chomksy MUST READ. very good. very well written. classic chomsky." Read more

7 customers mention "Vocabulary"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's vocabulary. They find it contains a collection of essays and newspaper articles, with quotes from historical and contemporary figures to support its claims. The references provided for each chapter are useful for those interested in further reading. Readers praise the passionate rhetoric and research quality. They describe each chapter as a full thesis in itself, with thorough analysis and important voices.

"...Chomsky provides long lists of references for each chapter, designed for those who wish to get further into the details of how these semi-secret,..." Read more

"...Quotes are great, but they're not meant to compose the breadth of the book...." Read more

"...This paper is made convincing by the passion of the rhetoric and the research qualities which characterize NC...." Read more

"Each chapter is a full thesis in itself. Not to be read all in one night. Very thorough analysis" Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book valuable and well-written. They say it exposes greed and profit over people.

"...I was not expecting to be laughing while reading. Profit over people is eye opening, and extremely well written. I highly suggest it." Read more

"Great book What else can I say? This is a great purchase a one of a kind theme from a unique author, this is more than awesome." Read more

"Worth every cent..." Read more

"Greed, pure and simple..." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing quality"17 positive14 negative

Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find it clear and concise, with well-reasoned comments that are logical. Others mention spelling, grammar, and editing errors, making it difficult to read.

"...His writing is optimally concise while, at the same time, including only those fundamental facts required to support his contentions...." Read more

"...There are a lot of careless typos in some chapters...." Read more

"...about US and world history events, but in my opinion his explanations make a lot of sense. He states numerous times, events, and documents...." Read more

"...Unfortunately their are numerous spelling errors and citations are not well handled - admittedly Chomsky alerts us to this early on in the book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Volker Lothhammer
    5.0 out of 5 stars to do their best for the benefit of all
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Noam Chomsky's book highlights what is going so utterly wrong in our so-called democratic societies and the failure of our political "elites", who were voted for by the sovereign, i.e. mostly the "common" people, to do their best for the benefit of all. As a matter of fact, the elected politicians only work for the benefit of the topmost filthy rich few, who do not need any more more money as they simply have way more than enough of it. This is why the middle class keeps shrinking and poverty keeps growing. Noam Chomsky's book is extremely worth reading as it gives the reader so many insights into the mechanisms of the neoliberal economic policies initiated by M. Thatcher and adopted by R. Reagan, and, so far, perpetuated into the time being.
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  • K. Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Neo-Liberalism In Every Aspect Of Our Lives
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2009
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    "Profit Over People" is very sobering work by McChesney and Chomsky about a topic that exists in virtually all aspects of our lives. However, it's rarely defined nor even mentioned in the American mainstream media. There are reasons for this. A lack of interest for details by the public and a mainstream media that doesn't cover the topic. In addition, the US was founded by and for the elitist oligarch minority that still runs the USA today. One powerful - yet peaceful - buffer to maintain power today, is by controlling of the mainstream media.

    In the beginning stages of the United States as a nation-state, Madison wrote and voiced concerns over the masses participating in decision-making. He feared for interests of the small minority of aristocratic land-owners and wealth holders. This belief system and governmental structure continues to dominate, and is still reinforced by the mainstream media 235+ years later. The message is the same, but the medium of dissemination is different.

    During the height of the Cold War, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles commented that the US is "hopelessly far far behind the Soviet Union in developing controls of the minds and emotions of unsophisticated peoples" (page 48). There are those who study media and propaganda who disagree with this statement. The US propaganda during the Cold War was very effective and comprehensive. But Foster's statement reveals how propaganda and manipulating "belief" is so important to the maintenance, growth, and utter survival of a nation-state. Especially if it's ideologically competing with a rival or enemy.

    Today, Neo-Liberalism is a concept and contemporary policy composed of left, right, and center. Implicitly and explicitly influenced and controlled by, and motivated to focus on, benefiting the wealthy industries of less than 1,000 corporations. Ironically, as powerful a force as Neo-Liberalism is, this term is rarely if ever used in the the United States in the mainstream media.

    One of the major points of Neo-Liberalism is the advocacy of free markets and "entrepreneurial drive" which ostensibly opposes bureaucracy and governmental interference, but in reality often does not. It depends to which interests are being catered to. Because of the massive financial backing, organization, and PR campaigns, few people in the United States question the motivations, the negative, the benefits, and results of Neo-Liberal policies. These policies have permeated into almost every level of political, economic, and cultural realms of US society. Again, Neo-Liberalism is not only an economic system but a cultural and political system as well.

    All 3 are Intertwined. Enmeshed.

    All of these 3 reinforce and support one another, and the economic, cultural, and political systems, are constantly reinforced by the mainstream media. One example among many, is the "NY Times" being consistently cited throughout this book, as being in support of Neo-Liberal policies and philosophies.

    Question: who owns the top 5 media conglomerates in the USA?

    Chomsky notes what more and more (but not enough) of the US public is starting to realize and believe according to polls, as of 2009: that politically, both political parties engage in trivial debates over minor, cosmetic issues. The 2 parties have the same interests, and the same supporters. It's only the packaging that's different.

    Neo-Liberalism functions best when there are elections. The public is deluded into thinking they actually have a voice, and are actually participating in the falsehood of a "democratic" process that doesn't really exist.

    Today in the year 2008 and beyond, these 1,000 organizations that run the US are more powerful, organized, and aggressive than ever. They are the masters.

    This is where "democracies" inevitably lead, historically.

    Apply "Profit Over People" to recent U.S. history and the last election cycle. The exclusive 2 parties: more similar that different. New faces, with basically the same policies and agenda. Both political parties lead the masses into the same direction, peppering us with the illusion of the two parties having differences with cosmetic and trivial sound-bytes.

    As a distraction to occupy our myopic selves we have shopping malls, Costco, delicious foods, car payments, mortgages sports, Internet, and TV, to keep our minds occupied while the Neo-Liberal agenda progresses, solidifies, and expands worldwide.

    "Profit Over People" is both informative and reader-friendly. Here is a historical quote about the phenomenon called "Bread and Circuses." It dates back to Roman times but is just as applicable today.

    PANEM ET CIRCENSES

    "The Latin "panem et circenses" (literally "bread and circuses") is a derogatory phrase which can describe either government policies to pacify the citizenry, or the shallow, decadent desires of that same citizenry. In both cases, it refers to low-cost, low-quality, high-availability food and entertainment." --Unknown
    74 people found this helpful
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  • Malvin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wide-ranging but powerful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2002
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    In this collection of essays that examines the dynamics of globalization and democracy, Chomsky makes clear that the "profit" imperative of private corporations are clearly triumphing over the needs of the vast majority of "people" in the world.
    The superb intro written by Robert McChesney discusses how neoliberalism threatens democractic institutions. McChesney lauds Chomsky for his many contributions to public understanding of how the economic system works and for whom, and for encouraging citizens to demand greater accountability from the unelected corporate elites.
    Chapter one is a brief history of the modern world order. Chomsky explains that protectionism has been often used by the U.S. and Britain to nurture their nascent industries to health and prosperity. Yet, Chomsky points out that the dogma of "free trade" has been used to economically colonize weaker countries. For example, Great Britain helped impoverish India's citizens by enforcing trade restrictions, but the captive Indian market served to greatly enrich investors in Britain.
    In Chapter two, Chomsky asserts that despite repeated attempts to condition the people to accept the neoliberal doctrine, opinion polls consistently show that people still believe in democratic principles such as fair levels of taxation, ample spending on public programs, etc. This article suggests that people cherish democractic ideals and therefore might have the capacity to successfully demand and win change -- even against entrenched corporate interests with far greater resources at their disposal.
    Chapter three examines inconcistencies in U.S. policy with respect to free trade. Chomsky claims that Ronald Reagan was the most protectionist of all U.S. presidents (despite his rhetoric to the contrary). In short, the U.S. supports free trade when it is seen as a benefit but against it when foreigners have comparative advantage (such as when the Japanese automakers had superior high-mileage cars on the market in the early 1980s). Chomsky also discusses U.S. policy with Cuba. The author argues that the real motivation for the U.S. embargo is not to encourage democracy in Cuba but to stifle the appeal of Cuba's redistributive policies and prevent them from spreading to other countries.
    Chapter four examines U.S. policy throughout the hemisphere. Chomsky reveals a consistent pattern of preference for protecting the rights of investors and repressing the human rights of citizens in countries that dare to opt for greater democracy.
    In Chapter five, Chomsky links the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas, Mexico with the declining living standards wrought by unregulated corporate access to third world resources and labor markets.
    Chapter six discusses the MAI agreement. Chomsky stresses that this misguided treaty was negotiated in secret in order not to alarm democratic populations of the treaty's overt favortism to private capital over people and the environment.
    The seventh and final article was written after the MAI proposal was defeated by concerned citizens groups, who made the secret text of the proposal public using the Internet. Chomsky cites this victory as evidence that democracy is "the ultimate weapon" that can be used to protect the rights of the people. However, Chomsky warns that the people must be forever vigilant if we want to prevent further concentration of wealth and power in private corporations.
    Throughout, Chomsky ties his lessons back to the Founding Fathers to show how far our country has strayed from its original ideals. Whether you agree or disagree with the conclusions drawn, Profit Over People should at least give readers pause to consider the state of our democracy and what might be required to fix it. Highly recommended.
    20 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Yasar Erdi Sasmaz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2023
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    Awesome
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  • Lucca Canizela De Camargo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 22, 2022
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    Very informative book!
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  • Paolo
    5.0 out of 5 stars greatest public intellectual ever
    Reviewed in Germany on July 1, 2024
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    This is another amazing work of the greatest American public intellectual land linguistic ever
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  • Caroline Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2024
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    Anything by Chomsky is a great read, informative and educational. Would recommend any of his books, especially this one.
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  • Omar Cornejo
    5.0 out of 5 stars YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Chomsky at his best. Gives you a clear understanding of how the wealthy dictate domestic and foreign policy. From propaganda to military coups, the free market is being imposed under the guise of democracy in the benefit of a few. I highly recommend you read this book.
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