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Today you have a situation where now the prescription is…

“Today you have a situation where now the prescription is: People who don’t have enough money to buy food should end up paying for their drinking water. That is going to be the kind of situation in which you will get more child labor. You will get more exploitation of women. You’re going to get an…” quote by Vandana Shiva
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“Today you have a situation where now the prescription is: People who don’t have enough money to buy food should end up paying for their drinking water. That is going to be the kind of situation in which you will get more child labor. You will get more exploitation of women. You’re going to get an absolutely exploitative economy as the very basis of living becomes a source of capital accumulation and corporate growth. In fact, the chief of Coca-Cola in India said: “Our biggest market in India comes from the fact that there is no drinking water left. People will have to buy Coca-Cola.”

Vandana Shiva

About This Quote

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

When basic needs become commodities, exploitation rises, harming vulnerable groups and deepening inequality.

In simple terms: Turning essential resources into profit fuels exploitation.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for public access to water.

Themes

environment economics social justice exploitation public health

Mood

concerned urgent critical

Type

political activist analytical

When to use this quote

  • policy debate
  • activism
  • community organizing
  • education campaigns
  • legal reform

Key Concepts

resource commodification capital accumulation inequality gender oppression child labor

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies protect essential resources from market exploitation?
  • What alternatives exist to ensure water access for all?
A Different Perspective

Profit motives can overlook human rights and sustainability.

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