In this thought-provoking new collection of essays, Noam Chomsky examines democracy in theory vs. democracy in action. The brilliant thinker reveals how the political and economic principles that have prevailed are far removed from those that are popularly proclaimed.

What is democracy? Is it a popular process o f consultation and decision making - for the people, by the people? Or is it another term for an open marketplace? Here Noam Chomsky explains why the gap between principle and real ity is so wide. '