Army Quote by Kirkpatrick Sale
“Governments, existing primarily to protect and enhance capitalism, maintain their power through the use of technologies that control the populace - by bread or circuses, by war or schooling, by armies and police, all of which are enabled and empowered by technology. That is what we might call the stick part of capitalism, while the riches-for-the-few is the carrot.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalist Critique, 2019
Governments use technology to maintain capitalist power, offering both coercive “stick” and enticing “carrot” incentives.
In simple terms: Tech lets governments control people, mixing punishment and reward.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge tech‑driven control.
Themes
politics
technology
capitalism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
academic
provocative
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- activist organizing
- digital literacy
Key Concepts
social theory
surveillance studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does tech shape power?
- What alternatives exist to current systems?
A Different Perspective
Resistance can be suppressed.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
