Corporate Quote by Cornel West
“Every president needs to deal with the permanent government of the country, and the permanent government of the country is Wall Street oligarchs and corporate plutocrats and the questions becomes what is the relationship between that president and Wall Street.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture, Cornell University, 2018
The quote highlights the tension between elected leaders and entrenched financial elites, suggesting that presidents must navigate influence from powerful corporate interests.
In simple terms: Presidents face powerful Wall Street interests.
Recognize and address elite influence.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- campaign strategy
- legislative negotiations
- public advocacy
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a president balance public interest with elite pressures?
- What mechanisms can limit corporate influence?
The influence of Wall Street may be overstated in some contexts, and presidents also have other constraints like public opinion and party politics.