There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Anarchists try to identify power structures. They urge those exercising power to justify themselves. This justification does not succeed most of the time.
Interpretation
Anarchists challenge the legitimacy of power and demand accountability from those in authority.
Noam Chomsky's quote highlights the role of anarchists in scrutinizing and questioning established power structures. It emphasizes that those with power often fail to provide adequate justification for their actions, which reflects a broader skepticism about authority and governance. The quote invites reflection on the nature of power and the responsibilities that come with it.
In practice
During a discussion on political theory, this quote can be used to illustrate the critique of government authority.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
We are little flames poorly sheltered by frail walls against the storm of dissolution and madness, in which we flicker and sometimes almost go out…we creep in upon ourselves and with big eyes stare into the night…and thus we wait for morning.
. . .only the victims and survivors can truly comprehend the awfulness of that time and place; the rest of us live on the other side of the fence, staring through from our own comfortable place, trying in our own clumsy ways to make sense of it all.
We got the bubble headed bleached blonde comes on at five, She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye, It's interesting when people die give us dirty laundry...
If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance, I'll tell you what you are.
Every individual of the community at large has an equal right to the protection of government.
Man is able to decide for or against reason, he is able to create beyond reason or to destroy below reason
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