Noam Chomsky's Analysis of Modern Economy

“Requiem for the American Dream,” a documentary arranged by Peter D. Hutchison, Kelly Nyks, and Jared P. Scott, features an MIT professor of linguistics, Noam Chomsky, who narrates the film on the topic of inequality, democratization, solidarity, and unjust systems of today’s economy. Noam Chomsky intends to convince American citizens that the economy and democratic systems have negatively changed over the 20th century and into the 21st century. Additionally, Chomsky emphasizes that a shift in the economy from manufacturing to financial institutions is the result of the concentration of wealth and the republican agenda for reformation. Due to the changes in the economy and the unjust vicious cycle, Chomsky is passionate and persistent on informing

The Buckley v. Valeo court case of 1976 concluded that, “ money is a form of speech.” Several years later, the 2009 - 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission concludes that, “The right of free speech as corporations can not be curtailed.”Chomsky says that, “ the cost of elections skyrockets, which then forces the political parties into the pockets of corporations.” Chomsky deduces that if money is a form of speech and the right of free speech of corporations can not be infringed upon, the elections are now bought by corporations without restraint, allowing the wealthy to be in control of the elections. When thought about, the president is elected by the funding of those who are wealthy, who in turn elects supreme court justices to judge the utmost important cases in the United States. This supports his overall argument that the concentration of wealth increases the concentration of power and vice

These clips are accompanied by audio of news recordings, during that time, explaining what is happening in the video. Chomsky talks about multiple techniques that the public tried, in order to acquire the rights they wanted, while video footage of these attempts, in the past, are shown. One particular clip shows a group of workers smashing the windows of a factory in anger, while another shows footage of a sit down strike. These clips are followed by a transition to a speech by Ronald Reagan, talking about how the unionization efforts are “. . . in violation of the law,” and “should be terminated.”
A second example of the use of past footage occurs in the form of an interview and background audio. The interviews and news clips refers to Noam Chomsky, many years ago, saying that, “Chomsky is a professor at MIT.” The interviewer in the clip also says, “Professor Noam Chomsky is listed in anybodies catalogues among the half dozen top heroes in the new left withstanding he achieved by adopting a series a adamant positions projecting America itself.” Not only does this establish credibility for Noam Chomsky but the clips also bring up important issues that Chomsky addresses a number of