Thought Control in the US - The Media and the Peace Process - Essay Example

Chomsky suggests that in America, you can say anything as long as it doesn't contradict the decisions that have already been made by the state and be obedient. As the broader meaning of thought control emphasizes the value of the human benefit under democratic setup, it is unfortunate to find political vested interests of an elite group of the state is protected by manipulating political thought control and behavioral conceptions. The author who has also written a famous book “ Necessary illusions” argues that the U.S.A has followed this style of thought control since long ago and is presently reflected in its state policy towards Arab-Israeli conflict.

He points to the contradiction inherent in the fact that, in survey after survey, the American public supports the concept of a Palestinian state. What makes it more interesting is that U.S.A which prefers military confrontation in Israel applies the “principle of historical engineering” which has also roots in Wilson’s administration in 1920’s and is nothing but historical containment of enemy through pervasive media propaganda and through imposing vested interests. He also comes up with another theory called “Memory hole” which means that historical records are altered in defense of state policy and strongly argues that it is responsible for unilateral thought control process.

Overall, he expresses anger over the manipulation of the control of thought by the U.S.A and the responsible journalists which in the true sense affects the peace process.. rical engineering" which has also roots in Wilson's administration in 1920's and is nothing but historical containment of enemy through pervasive media propaganda and through imposing vested interests. For the defense of state's policy through thought control process U.S.A relies on "Newspeak", "Media propaganda", Memory hole" and "Responsive journalism", the author discuses in a beautiful style.

He draws from the political novel, 1984, by George Orwell to explain the chameleon character of words used by the government and subsequently by the press to direct the thought of control in defense of state policy. The word "peace process" is the best example of exploiting the newspeak in the context of Arab-Israel conflict. The meaning of this word varies from country to country, but the media propaganda directs the thought control in the interests of U.S.A. The author expresses shock over the response of media showing the example of Bernard Gwertzman's article in New York Times dated 2 June 1985 criticizing the Palestinian peace stand and favoring the stand of U.S.A.

This has violated the original meaning of peace process and supports the emergence of newspeak. He also strengthens his theory of thought control by quoting the "responsible journalism" and strongly condemns the Gwertzman's false statement published in the New York Times stating that P.L.O has not supported the peace stand. He also comes up with another theory called "Memory hole" which means that historical records are altered in defense of state policy and strongly argues that it is responsible for unilateral thought control process.

Even though there were strong Arab peace proposals as mentioned in Thomas Friedman's "Two decades of seeking peace in the Middle East" dated 17 March 1985, unfortunately