Political Nonfiction

The World As It Is

Name: The World As It Is
Rating: 4.8 (1000 reviews)
Author: Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges

27 minAudio9 insights

What you'll learn

•How corporate power subverts democracy and controls politics.
•The failures and moral crises within American journalism.
•The human and social costs of economic inequality and racial injustice.
•The realities and consequences of American imperial wars.
•The environmental crisis driven by corporate exploitation.
•The philosophical and practical imperatives for rebellion and resistance.
•The need for new forms of activism and communication in a corporate-dominated world.

Who should read this

✓Activists and social reformers seeking systemic change
✓Students and scholars of political science and journalism
✓Citizens concerned about democracy and corporate influence
✓Environmentalists and sustainability advocates

About this book

A profound critique of American corporate power, imperial decline, social injustice, and environmental crisis, urging moral rebellion and resistance.

Did You Know?

“

Chris Hedges is a former New York Times foreign correspondent who reported from war zones for nearly two decades.

Audio Summary

Section 1

The Corporate State and the Illusion of Democracy

3:45

9 Sections

Preview: The Corporate State and the Illusion of Democracy

In our opening journey, we confront the unsettling reality of a democracy overshadowed by corporate dominance. Imagine a vast newsroom, bustling yet subdued, where journalists navigate the fine line between truth and survival. Corporations have woven themselves into the very fabric of politics and media, shaping narratives to serve their interests rather than the public good. This system, often described as inverted totalitarianism, is not marked by overt dictatorship but by the subtle subversion of democratic institutions through economic power.

Consider the staggering number of lobbyists—over twelve thousand in Washington alone—who tirelessly work to influence legislation in favor of corporate agendas. These lobbyists often outnumber elected officials, underscoring the imbalance of power. Simultaneously, the media landscape is dominated by a handful of corporations controlling over ninety percent of outlets, creating a homogenized narrative that seldom challenges the status quo.

Journalists, bound by the creed of objectivity, often find themselves trapped in a paradox. The pursuit of neutrality frequently translates into giving equal weight to opposing views, even when one side represents injustice or falsehood. This creates a fog that obscures the truth, leaving the public misinformed and disengaged. The focus shifts to celebrity gossip and trivial stories, distracting from the pressing issues of corporate greed and political corruption.

Take, for example, the way political campaigns are marketed as brands, designed to evoke emotional responses rather than critical thought. The public becomes consumers of crafted images rather than participants in democratic discourse. This illusion pacifies dissent and sustains the power of the elite.

Yet, beneath this veneer lies a growing discontent, a simmering awareness that the democratic promise has been hollowed out. Our task is to recognize these mechanisms and seek voices that pierce through the corporate veil. As we move forward, we will explore the social consequences of this system, where inequality and injustice deepen, and the call for resistance grows louder.

Let us now turn to the human cost of economic decline and social marginalization, where the illusion of democracy meets the harsh realities of life.