How the World Works (Real Story by Noam Chomsky Summary

How the World Works by Noam Chomsky is a comprehensive examination of US foreign policy, corporate power, and global inequality. The book exposes how American military and economic forces impose control on Third World countries, primarily for corporate profit rather than democratic ideals. Chomsky analyzes the destructive impact of capitalism, media manipulation, and the growing divide between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses both within the United States and globally.

How the World Works is essential reading for political activists, students of international relations, and anyone questioning mainstream narratives about American foreign policy. The book appeals to readers interested in understanding power structures, economic inequality, and corporate influence on democracy. It's particularly valuable for those seeking a critical perspective on capitalism, media propaganda, and the relationship between government and big business in shaping global affairs.

How the World Works is worth reading for anyone seeking to understand the mechanisms of power and inequality in modern society. The book provides extensively documented evidence of US foreign policy actions and corporate control, drawing from declassified government documents. While challenging and sometimes dense, Chomsky's analysis offers essential context for understanding contemporary geopolitics, economic systems, and the ongoing concentration of wealth and power that shapes our world.

Noam Chomsky is a renowned American linguist, philosopher, and political activist born in 1928, often called "the father of modern linguistics." As a professor emeritus at MIT and one of the most cited living authors, Chomsky has written over 150 books spanning linguistics, war, and politics. Since the 1960s, he has been an influential critic of US foreign policy and corporate capitalism, combining rigorous academic analysis with accessible political commentary throughout his decades-long career.

The main ideas in How the World Works center on three key arguments: capitalistic enterprises function as a modern form of fascism driven by profit rather than malice, societal strength comes from collective organization and participation, and no single political ideology offers a complete solution. Chomsky emphasizes that corporations maximize profits by controlling the state, the media manipulates public thinking to serve elite interests, and the US systematically opposes democracy and human rights abroad when they threaten corporate interests.

The Third World model in How the World Works describes a two-tier society with extreme wealth concentrated at the top and immense poverty below, consisting of "useless and superfluous people." Chomsky argues that this system is being deliberately established everywhere, including within the United States itself. The model represents the conversion of societies into hierarchical structures where resources protect the wealthy while the general public becomes disempowered, struggling to survive as democracy erodes under corporate control.

Chomsky explains US foreign policy as primarily serving corporate profit and elite interests rather than promoting democracy or human rights. In How the World Works, he documents American support for dictatorships, collaboration with fascists and Nazis, and military interventions in countries like Vietnam, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. He introduces the concept of the "threat of a good example"—the US fear of countries that successfully pursue independence, justice, and rising living standards, which might inspire others.

In How the World Works, Noam Chomsky argues that capitalism is the current form of fascism, responsible for most societal problems through profit-oriented interests rather than conspiracies. He explains that corporations control the state, maximize market share and power, and write rules for their own benefit, creating systemic inequality. Chomsky contends this concentration of wealth is not accidental but a direct consequence of the powerful designing economic systems to serve themselves while disempowering the majority.

"Organize. Just organize."

He emphasizes that individuals alone are powerless and can only lament their situation, but united with others, they can make a difference. Chomsky advocates for people to pick a cause, volunteer with groups working on it, and participate actively. He stresses that current systems are not based on laws of nature—they can be changed through collective action and democratic structures that represent the majority.

How the World Works compiles four of Chomsky's earlier works into one anthology:

• "What Uncle Sam Really Wants" (exposing post-WWII US atrocities and collaboration with fascists)
• "The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many" (examining global economic inequality)
• "Secrets, Lies and Democracy" (analyzing corporate power, media manipulation, and social issues)
• "The Common Good" (exploring concepts like equality, freedom, power, and globalization throughout various political and social contexts).

"The threat of a good example" in How the World Works refers to the US fear of countries that successfully fight for justice, democracy, independence, and rising living standards. Chomsky explains that when nations demonstrate alternative paths to development that prioritize human needs over corporate profits, they become dangerous examples that might inspire others. This concept reveals why the US opposes and undermines progressive governments abroad—not because they threaten America militarily, but because their success could undermine corporate control globally.

Critics of How the World Works argue that Chomsky's analysis can be one-sided, focusing heavily on American wrongdoing while sometimes minimizing other nations' actions. Some readers find the book challenging and dense, packed with extensive historical details that can overwhelm casual readers. Additionally, critics suggest that while Chomsky effectively diagnoses problems, his solutions—primarily "organize"—lack specific, actionable strategies. However, supporters counter that the book's documentation from declassified government sources provides undeniable evidence of the patterns Chomsky describes.