Century Quote by John Berger
“The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not, as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Ways of Seeing, 1972 (paraphrased)
The quote argues that modern poverty stems not from scarcity but from the rich imposing priorities that create systemic inequality.
In simple terms: Modern poverty is caused by rich-imposed priorities, not lack of resources.
Key Takeaway
Challenge and structures that prioritize wealth over basic needs.
Themes
poverty
inequality
politics
ethics
globalization
Mood
critical
urgent
Type
sociopolitical
activist
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activist organizing
- educational curricula
- public discourse
Key Concepts
systemic oppression
resource allocation
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- What priorities do the rich impose that affect the poor?
- How can societies restructure these priorities?
A Different Perspective
The statement may simplify complex causes of poverty, overlooking cultural and individual factors.
![“There's the artist's intimacy and truthfulness to himself, but an equal intimacy to the Other [the one drawn]. Picasso drawings are like that... the Rembrandts are like that. The artist who most often did that was Van Gogh.” quote by John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d1/john-berger-1590_art_there-s-the-artist-s-intimacy-and-truthf_155171.jpg)
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
