Michael Parenti, the American Marxist political scientist, author, and lecturer, has died at the age of 92. Parenti was widely known for his sharp critiques of imperialism, capitalism, and corporate power, and for his insistence that politics be examined through the lens of class interests and material conditions.
Over several decades, he wrote influential books such as Democracy for the Few, Inventing Reality, and Blackshirts and Reds, combining academic research with a polemical style aimed at reaching audiences beyond the university. His work challenged dominant narratives on U.S. foreign policy, the role of the media, and the nature of liberal democracy.
A gifted speaker, Parenti was also admired for his ability to make complex political and historical arguments accessible without diluting their substance. While his uncompromising positions often placed him at odds with mainstream academia and media, he remained a consistent and independent voice on the left, refusing to soften his analysis for acceptance or career advancement.
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