Independent nationalism is unacceptable to the West, no matter where it is, and it has to be driven back into subordination. In the case of Grenada, you can do it in a weekend; in the case of the Soviet Union it may take 70 years. But these are matters of scale, the logic is essentially the same.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The West opposes independent nationalism globally, seeking to subordinate it regardless of the time or effort required.
- In plain terms
- Western powers will work to crush any nation that acts independently, whether quickly or over decades.
- What can you take from it?
- Understand that Western foreign policy often prioritizes control over national self-determination.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is intervention justified?
- How is independence defined?
Another view
Some Western actions may aim at stability rather than mere subordination.
More from Noam Chomsky
States are violent institutions. The government of any country, including ours, represents some sort of domestic power structure, and it's usually violent. Sta…
Permalink to quote #130 If, say, you say that Iran is a terrorist state, you don't need evidence. If you say that the US is a terrorist state, you need plenty. Here, that is. In Iran …
Permalink to quote #132 ...roughly speaking, states are violent to the extent that they have the power to act in the interests of those with domestic power...
Permalink to quote #129
Related quotes
The battle will decide whether Germany is to live or die. Your soldiers must fight hard and ruthlessly. There must be no pity. The enemy must be beaten, now or…
Wilhelm MohnkeWilhelm Mohnke quote #2 Follow the road behind the Emperor. We must build the world for Japan's sake, heaven ordered Japan to achieve this great mission.
Kingoro HashimotoKingoro Hashimoto quote #3 Germany, which has lately united 80 million Germans, has submitted certain neighboring countries to her supremacy and gained military strength in many aspects,…
Vyacheslav MolotovVyacheslav Molotov quote #9