Manifestoon

Chomsky’s idea of the propaganda model is simply this: the media is controlled by a few and produced for the masses, through this process the controlling oligarchy that are the media conglomerates are able to send the point that they see fit for the current population. This ratio of few to masses creates a society that is oppressed and molded into believing (or at the very least constantly seeing) the message the media wants to send. The problem with this theory set by the media is that we are all different, individuals in our beliefs, our wants and desires. Those desires for some may create the ability to see through these subliminal messages and realize what is truly happening.

One person who could see through the very propaganda (so to speak) in the economics of society was Karl Marx. Marx addresses a similar issue to Chomsky’s in the Communist Manifesto. He says that the bourgeoisie are the feudal lords of this society and accordingly we are merely the peasants. We continue to be raped with the ideas of the bourgeoisie. We are helpless and vulnerable. The respected thing we call political power is merely a mask for the oppressors to filter what we know and present what they want us to believe.

However bad these separate but similar ideas may sound, there is a silver lining that both authors send out. While oppressed, we may have nothing, but by fighting back we also have nothing to lose. Both Chomsky and Marx dispatch a call of action to stand up and question everything and everyone. And in the words of Marx, “Workers [/consumers/citizens] of all countries, unite!”