Black books Quote by Bertrand Russell
““The tendency, which exists wherever industrialism is well developed, for trusts and monopolies to control all industry, leads to a diminution of the number of possible employers, so that it becomes easier and easier to keep secret black books by means of which any one not subservient to the great corporations can be starved. The growth of monopolies is introducing in America many of the evils associated with State Socialism as it has existed in Russia. From the standpoint of liberty, it makes no difference to a man whether his only possible employer is the State or a Trust.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Principles of Social Reconstruction, 1916
Industrial concentration reduces employment options, making it easy for powerful trusts to starve non‑conformists, mirroring state socialism.
In simple terms: Big monopolies limit jobs and enable oppression.
Key Takeaway
Support competition and decentralize power.
Themes
economics
politics
freedom
monopolies
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- labor markets
- policy reform
- consumer activism
- entrepreneurship
- regulatory oversight
Key Concepts
capitalism
socialism
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does corporate concentration affect personal liberty?
- What mechanisms can protect workers from trust control?
A Different Perspective
Even with many employers, trust dominance can still suppress dissent.
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