Noam Chomsky argues that in order to keep people disempowered, history is often distorted to highlight so-called "Great Men" as the sole agents of change. This narrative suggests that only a few exceptional individuals drive progress, effectively sidelining the contributions of ordinary people and obscuring their potential to effect change. By doing this, the power structures reinforce the idea that the masses are helpless and must wait for a heroic figure to lead them.

Chomsky emphasizes that this manipulation of historical recognition is a tactic to instill a sense of helplessness among people. When history is taught in a way that erases the role of collective action and grassroots movements, it undermines public confidence in their ability to enact change. As a result, the belief in individual agency diminishes, leaving society reliant on the notion of a savior rather than empowering them to recognize their own capabilities.