Failed States

About “Failed States”

The United States has claimed the right to intervene militarily in so-called "failed states" worldwide. In his work, Noam Chomsky challenges this claim by labeling the U.S. itself a "failed state." He defines failed states as those that fail to protect citizens from violence or destruction, act beyond the reach of law, and have a "democratic deficit" with little real democratic substance. Chomsky analyzes U.S. foreign and domestic policies, including the country's increased nuclear risks, the consequences of the Iraq occupation, and its refusal to follow international law. He also critiques the American electoral system, which he argues prevents real political change and undermines true democracy.