Activism Quote by Edward Bond
![“[The ruling class] sees people in the working class as being almost animals. It sees itself as being synonymous with civilization and its cultivation as coming from its natural abilities and not from its wealth and privileged opportunities. It doesn't see that the way in which it monopolizes these…” quote by Edward Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/528/edward-bond-13025_activism_the-ruling-class-sees-people-in-the-work_1572145.jpg)
““[The ruling class] sees people in the working class as being almost animals. It sees itself as being synonymous with civilization and its cultivation as coming from its natural abilities and not from its wealth and privileged opportunities. It doesn't see that the way in which it monopolizes these things distorts the culture it derives from them and that this makes its culture irrational and an enemy of civilization.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Chair, 1975
The ruling class dehumanizes workers, claiming cultural superiority while its dominance corrupts culture and undermines true civilization.
In simple terms: The elite view workers as beasts, thinking their culture is pure, but their power warps it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge elite narratives that dehumanize and distort culture.
Themes
class struggle
culture
civilization
power
dehumanization
Mood
critical
defiant
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
sociological
When to use this quote
- labor movements
- political activism
- education reform
- media analysis
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Marxist critique
cultural hegemony
elite domination
Questions to Reflect On
- How does elite self‑image affect policy?
- In what ways can culture resist distortion?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a monolithic ruling class and may overlook internal contradictions and progressive elites.
![“One of the chief paradoxes of our culture [is] that the welfare of its children, its _future_, is placed almost exclusively in the hands of people of low status, a class it holds in contempt.” quote by Joan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d39/joan-smith-50434_children_one-of-the-chief-paradoxes-of-our-cultur_754480.jpg)
