Schiller

Herbert Schiller is a media critic and analyzes communication policy in the United States. He explains how the political economy and mass communications are intertwined in such an important way in order to mobilize international support for US global domination and the transnational corporate order post World War 2. The promise of trickle down effects and thorough development in the developing world tend to be discounted in the discourse, though in most cases this is just a claim to be patient with the status quo. Schiller talks about the way the media tends to manage the mind, but focusing on the obvious through repetition and editing, rather than allowing one to make one’s own judgments.

He quotes Joseph Nye saying “ In truth, the 21st century, not the 20th, will turn out to be the period of America’s greatest preeminence. Information is the new coin of the international realm, and the United States is better positioned than any other country multiply the potency of its hard and soft power resources through information”.

He then quotes Rothkopf saying “ It is in the economic and political interests of the United States to ensure that, if the world is moving to a common language, it be English; that, if the world is becoming linked by television, radio and music, the programming be American; and that, if common values are being developed, they be values with which Americans are comfortable…Americans should not deny thee fact that, of all the nations in the history of the world, theirs is the most just, the most tolerant, the most willing to constantly reassess and improve itself, and the best model for the future.”.

How messed up is that? And these are policy makers, people at the top of the American hierarchy! It’s a disgrace…


Works cited:
Schiller, Herbert. "Dominating the Electronic Era: Towards a new century of American imperialism"
source: http://mondediplo.com/1998/09/02schiller