Attractive Quote by Edward S. Herman
![“The establishment can't admit [that] it is human rights violations that make ... countries attractive to business - so history has to be fudged, including denial of our support of regimes of terror and the practices that provide favorable climates of investment, and our destabilization of…” quote by Edward S. Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c58/edward-s-herman-42038_attractive_the-establishment-can-t-admit-that-it-is_68073.jpg)
“The establishment can't admit [that] it is human rights violations that make ... countries attractive to business - so history has to be fudged, including denial of our support of regimes of terror and the practices that provide favorable climates of investment, and our destabilization of democracies that [don't] meet [the] standard of service to the transnational corporation.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that powerful institutions conceal their role in human‑rights abuses to preserve profitable environments, rewriting history to hide support for oppressive regimes and the undermining of democratic standards that threaten corporate interests.
In simple terms: Powerful interests mask abuses to protect profit.
Key Takeaway
History is reshaped to legitimize exploitation.
Themes
Power and corruption
Historical revisionism
Human rights
Corporate influence
Democratic erosion
Mood
Cynical
Urgent
Analytical
Type
Political
Critical
Expository
When to use this quote
- International investment decisions
- Policy advocacy
- Human‑rights reporting
- Corporate risk assessment
- Academic analysis
Key Concepts
Corporate complicity
State repression
Narrative control
Geopolitical strategy
Practical Applications
- Critical media literacy
- Policy reform proposals
Questions to Reflect On
- How does historical distortion affect public perception of corporate responsibility?
- What mechanisms can expose and counteract such concealment?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that economic incentives can justify pragmatic alliances, but this overlooks the long‑term moral and stability costs of supporting oppressive regimes.
