Blog #5 : Saving Solidarity

Throughout his book, Chomsky has built up the message that the concentration of wealth yields the concentration of power. This overarching claim is carried throughout the book and is backed up by the points Chomsky writes about. 

In Chapter 5, Chomsky highlights the wealthy elites' desire to destroy the principles in which most of the population survives on: solidarity, both within social security and the public education systems. He states that Social Security is "of no use to the very rich, so therefore, there's a concerted attempt to destroy it. One of the ways is by defunding it" (66). This type of mindset that the upper class has is very dangerous for the rest of the U.S. This displays that the wealthy has always had control over policy and power. Chomsky supports this claim by referencing the Social Security Act of 1935. He wants to emphasize how beneficial the Social Security system in place is by describing that the act provides benefits to most of society. Chomsky effectively uses the rhetorical strategy of description and definition by referencing this act; He is supporting his idea that the act has no flaws and that the wealthy elites' attempt to destroy it is not a good decision. 

Chomsky uses loaded language to remind readers there is inequality and a divide between classes. For example, the idea of "Masters of Mankind", in which Chomsky uses to describe the rich people in society, signifies that the wealthy have always had more power than everyone else. He does this so the readers become angry and it leads to frustration. The "Masters of Mankind" have ultimately designed and shaped society to run a certain way that will always keep them in power and eliminate their opponents. This concept of social mobility rises up frequently in this book, and comes up when he describes the attack on public education. The wealthy value privatization and is a concept held firmly by the upper class. Chomsky takes note of this when he explains, "the public education system- all the way from kindergarten to higher education- is under severe attack" (66-67). Chomsky backs up his claim by comparing our educational system today to the educational system back in the '50s and '60s. He goes onto explain that education back then was based upon the values of free education. He even throughs in some personal experience of how he attended an Ivy League school that was "virtually free". Chomsky has had first hand experiences and this builds his credibility through narrative. He is highlighting that inequality is greater than at any time in history and he backs his statement up by comping and contrasting how society has changed throughout the decades. 

In addition, his emotional tone builds a more personable and relatable view for his readers. He knows his audience values good treatment, education, and equality, so when he compares a better society back in the day to the rise of a much richer society today, he evokes emotion in his readers. 

Overall, Chomsky effectively uses rhetorical strategies to validate his claim about solidarity and its importance to society. His argument is supported well with many examples and he reiterates to his audience how valuable solidarity is to the prosperity of the U.S.