George Bernard Shaw once said: “Capitalism has destroyed…
““George Bernard Shaw once said: “Capitalism has destroyed our belief in any effective power but that of self interest backed by force.” When liberals make the argument that capitalism is the cause of all of our problems, they are either speaking out of abject ignorance or being totally disingenuous to protect their own political interests. We have not had true free-market capitalism in this country on any wide scale. Where we have had economic successes in this nation’s history, it has been those times when people have done something outside of the government’s involvement. Every single time the federal government has been involved, it has created chaos, waste, and corruption. The historical record is overwhelmingly one of gross incompetence.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Capitalism is portrayed as the only effective force, while government intervention is blamed for chaos and waste.
In simple terms: Capitalism praised, government blamed.
Key Takeaway
Question the role of government in markets.
Themes
economics
politics
government
capitalism
history
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- academic analysis
- public discourse
Key Concepts
free market theory
state failure
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define “true” free‑market capitalism?
- What examples show government success?
A Different Perspective
Government action can also create efficiency and innovation.