Well, you can do whatever you want, but just don’t call it…
![“Well, you can do whatever you want, but just don’t call it inequality. Put the word poverty there. Because we have many rich people on our board, and when they see the word poverty that makes them feel good, because [it means] they’re really nice people who care about the poor. When they see the…” quote by Branko Milanovic](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/0f0/branko-milanovic-34886_care_well-you-can-do-whatever-you-want-but-ju_2888062.jpg)
“Well, you can do whatever you want, but just don’t call it inequality. Put the word poverty there. Because we have many rich people on our board, and when they see the word poverty that makes them feel good, because [it means] they’re really nice people who care about the poor. When they see the word inequality it makes them upset, because [it means] you want to take money from them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how framing economic issues with different terminology can manipulate perception, making poverty seem charitable and inequality threatening.
In simple terms: Changing words changes how people feel about economic problems.
Key Takeaway
Be aware of framing effects in policy discussions.
Themes
inequality
framing
perception
economics
politics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- media reporting
- public speeches
- corporate social responsibility
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
social perception
political communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our willingness to address systemic issues?
- Can reframing improve genuine support for redistribution?
A Different Perspective
The underlying economic realities remain unchanged despite linguistic shifts.