Industrialism-social-divide Quote by Ivan Illich
““P3- every simple need to which an institutional answer is found permit the invention of a new class of poor and a new definition of poverty””
About This Quote
Source Book: Deschooling Society, 1971
When institutions try to solve every problem, they create new categories of disadvantage and redefine poverty to fit their solutions.
In simple terms: Institutional fixes can create new poor classes.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑institutionalizing solutions.
Themes
poverty
institutional critique
social policy
inequality
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- welfare design
- urban planning
- education reform
- healthcare systems
- NGO programs
Key Concepts
structuralism
social constructionism
policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What problems might be solved without institutional answers?
- How can we prevent new definitions of poverty from emerging?
A Different Perspective
May ignore grassroots needs and empower existing power structures.
