Profit Over People audiobook cover - Neoliberalism and Global Order

Profit Over People

Neoliberalism and Global Order

Noam Chomsky

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Profit Over People
Unmasking Neoliberalism+
Weaponizing the WTO+
American Exceptionalism+
Free-Trade Agreements (NAFTA)+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
According to the text, what was the primary effect of the 'Washington consensus' when imposed on developing nations?
  • A. It functioned as a de facto world government that prioritized market-oriented principles over the well-being of vulnerable societies.
  • B. It successfully boosted economic growth and democratic participation exactly as its architects intended.
  • C. It was democratically agreed upon by a coalition of developing governments to protect their raw materials.
  • D. It allowed vulnerable nations to heavily regulate foreign investment and protect local industries.
Question 2 of 8
Why did the United States support coups and interventions in Latin American countries like Chile (1973) and Guatemala (1954)?
  • A. To establish democratic governments that would formally join the World Trade Organization.
  • B. To eliminate 'radical' regimes that responded to popular demands and threatened a climate conducive to private investment.
  • C. To protect indigenous land rights from being exploited by European corporations.
  • D. To support socialist policies that aligned with the United Nations' global development goals.
Question 3 of 8
How does the text describe Britain's approach to India's iron industry as an example of neoliberal practice?
  • A. Britain invested heavily in India's infrastructure to create a competitive global market for iron.
  • B. Britain protected India's industry from US expansionism by implementing strict trade tariffs.
  • C. Britain flooded India with cheap products while using restrictive trade policies to prevent India from developing its own manufacturing capacity.
  • D. Britain encouraged India to privatize its iron industry to boost local wages and promote free-market competition.
Question 4 of 8
Why did the United States shift its preferred platform for international influence from the United Nations (UN) to the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
  • A. The WTO operates on a more democratic 'one nation, one vote' system than the UN.
  • B. The UN banned the United States from participating in international trade agreements.
  • C. The WTO allows the US to bypass environmental regulations that the UN strictly enforces.
  • D. The WTO focuses on economic policies where the US is powerful and possesses a dispute resolution mechanism with enforcement power.
Question 5 of 8
What is a major long-term consequence of the WTO’s telecommunications agreement for developing countries, according to the text?
  • A. It guarantees lower prices and better wages for local telecommunications workers.
  • B. It often leads to foreign corporations gaining substantial control over a nation's critical communication networks.
  • C. It ensures that telecommunications technology is shared equally among all WTO member states.
  • D. It protects local businesses from being outcompeted by massive American monopolies.
Question 6 of 8
How did the United States respond when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled against its military actions in Nicaragua in the 1980s?
  • A. The US rejected the jurisdiction of the ICJ, demonstrating a selective approach to international law.
  • B. The US immediately withdrew its support for the Contras and paid reparations to the Sandinista government.
  • C. The US appealed the decision to the United Nations Security Council to seek a diplomatic resolution.
  • D. The US signed a free-trade agreement with Nicaragua to compensate for the economic damages of the war.
Question 7 of 8
What was a direct consequence of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for Mexico's agricultural sector?
  • A. Mexico's agricultural sector boomed due to increased export opportunities to Canada.
  • B. Mexican farmers gained access to advanced US agricultural technology, significantly reducing malnutrition.
  • C. Subsidized US corn flooded the market, devastating small-scale Mexican farmers and increasing rural poverty.
  • D. Mexico achieved total agricultural independence by blocking highly subsidized US food imports.
Question 8 of 8
What was significant about the timing and methods of the 1994 Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, Mexico?
  • A. It occurred during the signing of the Washington consensus and utilized satellite television to broadcast their demands.
  • B. It launched on the exact day NAFTA took effect and was one of the first movements to use the internet to garner global support.
  • C. It coincided with the founding of the WTO and relied entirely on traditional guerilla warfare to overthrow the government.
  • D. It started on the anniversary of the Cuban revolution and was funded primarily by the Sandinista government.

Profit Over People — Full Chapter Overview

Profit Over People Summary & Overview

Profit Over People (1999) is a deep dive into the often hidden world of neoliberalism, revealing how global power structures and US policies are influenced by corporate interests. You’ll be taken on a journey that uncovers an economic system geared toward the affluent, often to the detriment of the many.

Who Should Listen to Profit Over People?

  • Students of economics or international relations 
  • Policymakers and businesspeople
  • Curious minds interested in the way our world works

About the Author: Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky is a world-renowned figure in linguistics and politics. He revolutionized the field of linguistics with his groundbreaking work in syntactic structures. Chomsky is also known for his outspoken criticism of US foreign policy, demonstrated in his renowned works Manufacturing Consent and Hegemony or Survival.

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