Living in the Number One Country is Herbert I. Schiller's chronicle of the symbiotic relationship between post-WWII American Empire and the substance and technology of the communications businesses. Schiller traces how the State has supported corporatized information by pushing their products abroad both through phony pronouncements about "the free-flow of information," and by subsidizing research and development for new technologies. Schiller's refreshing account infuses elements of his own experience; growing up during the Great Depression in New York, as a bureaucrat in the civilian sector of the military occupation forces in Berlin after the war, and as a radical journalist and academic. This intriguing book argues that the main pillar of today's U.S. economy—the ever-expanding communication sector—is also the most crucial element in keeping a 500-year social system, capitalism, alive. Capitalism's future relies not only on labor exploitation, but also on a steadily entertained, and hence diverted, populace. Therein lies the importance of challenging the overarching institutions of corporate information production.
“Living in the Number One Country is a wonderfully written memoir that also provides a crystal clear introduction to the main themes in Schiller's research: the role of corporate communication in perpetuating global imperialism and inequality; the incompatibility of a commercially marinated society with a sane, humane and happy society; and the bankruptcy of mainstream communication scholarship to address these enormous issues. Through it all, Schiller's fundamental love for justice and truth shines through, as does his faith in the ability of people to govern their own lives. This is a book for activists and scholars of the coming generation.” –Robert W. McChesney, author of Rich Media, Poor Media
HERBERT I. SCHILLER, professor emeritus of Communication at the University of California at San Diego, is a leading scholar of the communications industries. His books include Information Inequality: The Deepening Social Crises in America and Culture Inc.: The Corporate Takeover of Public Expression.
Living in the Number One Country is Herbert I. Schiller's chronicle of the symbiotic relationship between post-WWII American Empire and the substance and technology of the communications businesses. Schiller traces how the State has supported corporatized information by pushing their products abroad both through phony pronouncements about "the free-flow of information," and by subsidizing research and development for new technologies. Schiller's refreshing account infuses elements of his own experience; growing up during the Great Depression in New York, as a bureaucrat in the civilian sector of the military occupation forces in Berlin after the war, and as a radical journalist and academic. This intriguing book argues that the main pillar of today's U.S. economy—the ever-expanding communication sector—is also the most crucial element in keeping a 500-year social system, capitalism, alive. Capitalism's future relies not only on labor exploitation, but also on a steadily entertained, and hence diverted, populace. Therein lies the importance of challenging the overarching institutions of corporate information production.
Reviews
“Living in the Number One Country is a wonderfully written memoir that also provides a crystal clear introduction to the main themes in Schiller's research: the role of corporate communication in perpetuating global imperialism and inequality; the incompatibility of a commercially marinated society with a sane, humane and happy society; and the bankruptcy of mainstream communication scholarship to address these enormous issues. Through it all, Schiller's fundamental love for justice and truth shines through, as does his faith in the ability of people to govern their own lives. This is a book for activists and scholars of the coming generation.” –Robert W. McChesney, author of Rich Media, Poor Media
Author
HERBERT I. SCHILLER, professor emeritus of Communication at the University of California at San Diego, is a leading scholar of the communications industries. His books include Information Inequality: The Deepening Social Crises in America and Culture Inc.: The Corporate Takeover of Public Expression.
