Michael Parenti, Conspiracy and Class Power

The lecture examines the relationship between conspiracy and class power, arguing they are interconnected rather than mutually exclusive. It critiques conservative, liberal, and radical analyses of the political economic system, advocating for a radical perspective that views societal problems as inherent outcomes of a system prioritizing wealth accumulation for a privileged class. Parenti contends that the state, particularly the national security state, engages in conspiracies to maintain capitalist order, citing historical examples like the Tonkin Gulf incident and Iran-Contra affair. He dismisses "innocence theories" that attribute unjust arrangements to coincidence or stupidity, emphasizing the conscious intent of ruling elites to protect their interests through various means, including manipulating public opinion and repressing dissent. The lecture concludes by stressing the importance of understanding intent in political analysis and recognizing the ongoing class struggle.