States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions

States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions

Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist, philosopher, and political activist, has long been a vocal critic of powerful institutions, particularly governments and corporations. One of his key beliefs is that states are not moral agents in and of themselves; rather, it is the people within those states who have the ability to impose moral standards on these institutions.

Chomsky argues that states, as entities, do not have the capacity for moral judgment or action. They are made up of individuals who may act in ways that are moral or immoral, but the state itself is simply a structure that exists to maintain power and control. It is the people within the state who have the ability to make decisions and take actions that are morally significant.