Don't forget the real business of war is buying and…
““Don't forget the real business of war is buying and selling. The murdering and violence are self-policing, and can be entrusted to non-professionals. The mass nature of wartime death is useful in many ways. It serves as spectacle, as diversion from the real movements of the War. It provides raw material to be recorded into History, so that children may be taught History as sequences of violence, battle after battle, and be more prepared for the adult world. Best of all, mass death's a stimolous to just ordinary folks, little fellows, to try 'n' grab a piece of that Pie while they're still here to gobble it up. The true war is a celebration of markets.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
War is portrayed as a market-driven spectacle where violence serves economic and narrative purposes, diverting attention from true power dynamics.
In simple terms: War is shown as a market tool, not just fighting.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how economic interests shape conflict narratives.
Themes
war
economics
media
history
power
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- media critique
- education
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
capitalism
spectacle
propaganda
historical narrative
military-industrial complex
Questions to Reflect On
- How do markets benefit from war?
- What are the moral costs of commodifying conflict?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook genuine human suffering and moral agency.