Capitalism Quote by John Maynard Keynes
““Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work together for the benefit of all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, 1936
Capitalism assumes that even the worst people and motives will somehow produce collective benefit.
In simple terms: Capitalism trusts bad people to work for everyone.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral foundations of market systems.
Themes
economics
morality
politics
capitalism
trust
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- business ethics
- public discourse
Key Concepts
social contract
incentive structures
collective outcomes
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we safeguard against exploitation?
- What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Capitalism can exploit the vulnerable and ignore inequality.
![“[Capitalism assumed] that from the beginning all men are equal. If that were so everyone would be equipped with the same working power, the same education and, above all, the same economic assets … each person would [then] have only himself to blame if he did not succeed.” quote by Knut Wicksell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5fb/knut-wicksell-254225_capitalism_capitalism-assumed-that-from-the-beginni_1738320.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
