The responsibility of intellectuals: reflections by Noam Chomsky and others after 50 years

With the publication of 'The Responsibility ofIntellectuals' half a century ago, Noam Chomsky burst onto the US politicalscene as a leading critic of the war in Vietnam. Privilege, he argues, brings with it the responsibility to tell the truthand expose lies, but our intellectual culture only pays lip-service to thisideal. The essay has been described as 'the singlemost influential piece of anti-war literature' of the Vietnam war period.

Since then,Chomsky has continued to equip a growing international audience with the factsand arguments needed to understand - and change - our world. According to The New York Times, Chomsky 'may be the most widely read Americanvoice on foreign policy on the planet today.'

This bookrevisits 'The Responsibility of Intellectuals' half a century on. It includes sixnew essays written to celebrate Chomsky's famous intervention and explore itsrelevance in today's world. Nicholas Allott, Chris Knight, Milan Rai and NeilSmith have studied and written about Chomsky's thought for many years, whileCraig Murray and Jackie Walker describe the personal price they have paid for speaking out. The bookfinishes with Chomsky's recollectionsof the background to theoriginal publication of his essay, followed by extensive commentary from him onits 50th anniversary.