What happens to our analysis if we throw away the idea of manipulation all togehrer? or perhaps, better, say: there is only manipulation.
That Chomsky manipulates when he points out the manipulation of others; and what we care about is that we're not successful in our manipulations.
By localising this notion of 'manipulation' to an 'elite' he creates a paranoid mood of analysis -- rather, manipulation is democratic; and as far as we're in trouble in politics, it's often because of how democratic manipulation turns out to be.
Yes, people influence each other, even just by talking or writing or moving.
No, this is should not be conflated with teams of media&communications experts spending thousands of man-hours on individual influence campaigns that have been focus-grouped to have precise impact.
That Chomsky manipulates when he points out the manipulation of others; and what we care about is that we're not successful in our manipulations.
By localising this notion of 'manipulation' to an 'elite' he creates a paranoid mood of analysis -- rather, manipulation is democratic; and as far as we're in trouble in politics, it's often because of how democratic manipulation turns out to be.