Bewildered Quote by Noam Chomsky
“The basic idea which runs right through modern history and modern liberalism is that the public has got to be marginalized. The general public are viewed as no more than ignorant and meddlesome outsiders, a bewildered herd.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Media and Democracy, 1999
Modern liberalism often sidelines ordinary citizens, treating them as uninformed outsiders.
In simple terms: Public is marginalized in discourse.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge marginalization of the public.
Themes
politics
media
democracy
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analysis
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- media analysis
- community organizing
Key Concepts
power structures
public sphere
elitism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens become more informed participants?
- What mechanisms can reduce elitist marginalization?
A Different Perspective
Counterpoint: Some argue public opinion can be informed and constructive.
![“The more people figure this [liberalism a special kind of stupid] out, the more people that see it and are turned off by it, the more people who find it objectionable, the more people who ask, "Gee, what kind of people," the better off we're gonna be.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/615/rush-limbaugh-28_asks_the-more-people-figure-this-liberalism-a_2735906.jpg)
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
