El salvador Quote by David Dellinger
“Americans get fooled because we think we're trying to help the peasants down there in El Salvador, even though we're propping up that oppressive government, among the most brutal and militaristic in the world.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Anti‑War Rally, United States, 1980s
He argues that U.S. interventions are often justified as humanitarian but actually support repressive regimes.
In simple terms: U.S. aid can mask support for dictators.
Key Takeaway
Question the true motives behind aid.
Themes
politics
intervention
humanitarianism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- NGO work
- government aid
- military intervention
- public opinion
Key Concepts
imperialism
ethical paradox
foreign policy
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from foreign aid?
- How can aid be truly altruistic?
A Different Perspective
Aid can unintentionally empower oppression.
![“Tuesday, March 3 [Meetings with economist Arthur Burns regarding China, and with President Ford on economy; message from Pope John Paul II expressing general greetings; VFW reception for Senator Laxalt (R-NV); dinner party.] During day I did a 1 hr. interview with Walter Cronkite—his last for CBS…” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ronald-reagan-119_dinner-party_tuesday-march-3-meetings-with-economist_165823.jpg)
