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For the corporation executives, the military metaphysic…

“For the corporation executives, the military metaphysic often coincides with their interest in a stable and planned flow of profit; it enables them to have their risk underwritten by public money; it enables them reasonably to expect that they can exploit for private profit now and later, the…” quote by C. Wright Mills
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“For the corporation executives, the military metaphysic often coincides with their interest in a stable and planned flow of profit; it enables them to have their risk underwritten by public money; it enables them reasonably to expect that they can exploit for private profit now and later, the risky research developments paid for by public money. It is, in brief, a mask of the subsidized capitalism from which they extract profit and upon which their power is based.”

C. Wright Mills

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Mills critiques corporate leaders using military metaphors to justify profit motives, masking subsidized capitalism and public risk.

In simple terms: Corporate profit hides behind militaristic language and public funding.

Key Takeaway

Question the true cost of corporate profit.

Themes

economics politics ethics

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

sociological political

When to use this quote

  • policy debate
  • academic research
  • public awareness campaigns

Key Concepts

subsidy military metaphor capitalism power structures

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are the ethical implications of using public money for private profit?
  • How can societies ensure transparent funding?
A Different Perspective

Public may not see hidden subsidies.

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