Agitation Quote by John Ralston Saul
“The neo-conservatives, who are closely linked to the neo-corporatists, are rather different. They claim to be conservatives, when everything they stand for is a rejection of conservatism. They claim to present an alternate social model, when they are little more than the courtiers of the corporatist movement. Their agitation is filled with the bitterness and cynicism typical of courtiers who scramble for crumbs at the banquet tables of real power, but are always denied a proper chair.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Unconscious Civilization, John Ralston Saul, 1995
The quote critiques neo‑conservatives for masquerading as true conservatives while actually supporting corporatist, elitist agendas.
In simple terms: They pretend to be conservatives but support corporate power.
Key Takeaway
Question true motives behind political labels.
Themes
politics
ideology
elitism
hypocrisy
power dynamics
Mood
cynical
critical
analytical
Type
political
critical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- academic debate
- media commentary
- public discourse
Key Concepts
conservatism
corporatism
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- Are they shaping policy or merely reflecting elite interests?
- How does this affect democratic participation?
A Different Perspective
Their influence may be overstated compared to grassroots movements.
