Page "Domino theory" Paragraph 15

Noam Chomsky, a linguist, writes that he believes the Domino theory is roughly accurate, although he put a more positive spin on the threat, writing on the basis that economic improvements to a poor country will always bring better life for its people.

If a people in a poor country see another poor country dictate its economy and improve it, the former will of course want to emulate the latter.

This is why, he claims, the US put so much effort into suppressing so-called " people's movements " in Chile, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Laos, Grenada, El Salvador, Guatemala, etc.

" The weaker and poorer a country is, the more dangerous it is as an example.

If a tiny, poor country like Grenada can succeed in bringing about a better life for its people, some other place that has more resources will ask, ' Why not us?

'" Chomsky refers to this as the " threat of a good example.

" Chomsky claims there are two domino effects, one internally discussed between US policy makers, which is that of the " Good Example ", and another for public consumption, that of the spread of Communism.