Chomsky’s Public Intervention

September 11

Follows Chomsky’s effort, across the interviews and postface, to challenge retaliation, explain historical context, and mobilize public judgment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Voice in Crisis A Voice in Crisis from "September 11". A Voice in Crisis Chomsky answers interviews across European and American media in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

A Voice in Crisis from "September 11". A Voice in Crisis Chomsky answers interviews across European and American media in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

A Voice in Crisis Chomsky answers interviews across European and American media in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. A Different Emphasis Rather than treating the event as detached from history, he insists on examining American policy and earlier interventions. Public Argument The interviews make explanation, rather than patriotic silence, part of the crisis response.

Questioning the War Frame Questioning the War Frame from "September 11". Questioning the War Frame Chomsky challenges the language of a “war against terrorism” and asks what actions that phrase legitimizes.

Questioning the War Frame from "September 11". Questioning the War Frame Chomsky challenges the language of a “war against terrorism” and asks what actions that phrase legitimizes.

Questioning the War Frame Chomsky challenges the language of a “war against terrorism” and asks what actions that phrase legitimizes. Legal Alternatives He advocates evidence, arrest, trial, and international cooperation. A Moral Boundary His argument distinguishes condemning the attacks from endorsing punishment of uninvolved civilians.

Confronting State Violence Confronting State Violence from "September 11". Confronting State Violence Chomsky draws attention to violence carried out by the United States and its allies.

Confronting State Violence from "September 11". Confronting State Violence Chomsky draws attention to violence carried out by the United States and its allies.

Confronting State Violence Chomsky draws attention to violence carried out by the United States and its allies. Suppressed Comparisons Nicaragua, Beirut, Iraq, and Sudan become examples of harms often left outside mainstream discussion. Consistency as Method He asks audiences to use the same moral vocabulary for powerful governments and declared enemies.

Speaking Against Silence Speaking Against Silence from "September 11". Speaking Against Silence Chomsky argues that critics should not withdraw from public debate during a national crisis.

Speaking Against Silence from "September 11". Speaking Against Silence Chomsky argues that critics should not withdraw from public debate during a national crisis.

Speaking Against Silence Chomsky argues that critics should not withdraw from public debate during a national crisis. More Inquiry He calls for deeper attention to the historical conditions behind terrorist violence. Civic Possibility Public discussion can influence government choices and help prevent a wider cycle of retaliation.

The Continuing Obligation The Continuing Obligation from "September 11". The Continuing Obligation The postface extends Chomsky’s immediate arguments into a durable test of political responsibility.

The Continuing Obligation from "September 11". The Continuing Obligation The postface extends Chomsky’s immediate arguments into a durable test of political responsibility.

The Continuing Obligation The postface extends Chomsky’s immediate arguments into a durable test of political responsibility. Universal Standards If an action is wrong when others perform it, it remains wrong when performed by one’s own government. Active Citizenship The work of preventing violence requires honest memory, public pressure, and attention to consequences.

September 18–22, 2001

September 19–21, 2001

September 21, 2001

September 30–October 5, 2001

In the postface, several months after September 11