--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not only must weapons be bought and paid…" description: "\"Not only must weapons be bought and paid for out of surpluses of capital and labour, but they must also be put to use. For this is the only means that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30c/david-harvey-10654_achieve_not-only-must-weapons-be-bought-and-paid_1037718.png" --- # Not only must weapons be bought and paid for out of… ![“Not only must weapons be bought and paid for out of surpluses of capital and labour, but they must also be put to use. For this is the only means that capitalism has at its disposal to achieve the level of devaluation now required. The idea is dreadful in its implications. What better reason could…” quote by David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30c/david-harvey-10654_achieve_not-only-must-weapons-be-bought-and-paid_1037718.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30c/david-harvey-10654_achieve_not-only-must-weapons-be-bought-and-paid_1037718.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30c/david-harvey-10654_achieve_not-only-must-weapons-be-bought-and-paid_1037718.png) > “Not only must weapons be bought and paid for out of surpluses of capital and labour, but they must also be put to use. For this is the only means that capitalism has at its disposal to achieve the level of devaluation now required. The idea is dreadful in its implications. What better reason could there be to declare that it is time for capitalism to be gone, to give way to some saner mode of production?” [David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Capitalism must expend resources on weapons to sustain its devaluation, revealing its destructive nature and prompting calls for a new economic system. **In simple terms:** Capitalism uses war to keep its value down, showing its danger. Key Takeaway Recognize how war serves economic ends. Themes economics war capitalism critique Mood critical somber Type analytical political When to use this quote - policy analysis - academic debate - public discourse - activism Key Concepts devaluation means‑end justification systemic violence Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives to militarism can reduce capitalist devaluation? - How does this view change your perception of modern conflicts? A Different Perspective War may not be the only solution to economic crises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Devaluation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devaluation/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [The ultimate Form of devaluation is military confrontation and global war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-ultimate-form-of-devaluation-is-military-confrontation-and-global/) [David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/) > [Rampant inflation is just as hard to live with as the devaluation of commodities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/rampant-inflation-is-just-as-hard-to-live-with-as-the-devaluation-of/) [David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/) > [Perpetual revolutions in technology can mean the devaluation of fixed capital on an extensive scale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/perpetual-revolutions-in-technology-can-mean-the-devaluation-of-fixed/) [David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/) > [This may be one of the real tragedies of free market capitalism gone awry. 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