“International affairs is very much run like the mafia. The godfather does not accept disobedience, even from a small storekeeper who doesn't pay his protection money. You have to have obedience; otherwise, the idea can spread that you don't have to listen to the orders, and it can spread to important places.”

Linguist and political theorist from the United States, active since the 1950s. He developed foundational theories of generative grammar and cognitive linguistics, reshaping modern linguistics. His work also spans political philosophy, media criticism, and human rights advocacy, often challenging power structures and corporate influence.