Status quo Quote by Melanie Joy
““Another myth of necessity is that killing is an economic imperative. While an economic motive has driven many violent ideologies--the economy of the New World was largely buttressed by slavery, and the plundering of gold and other assests as well as the unpaid labor of Nazi victims financed the German war machine--that doesn't mean the economy would collapse were the killing to cease. It is far more likely that the economic status quo would break down; the carnistic-corporate power structure, rather than the citizenry, would suffer were carnism abolished.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Moral Psychology of Eating” by Melanie Joy, 2020 (chapter on carnism)?? Actually from her essay on carnism, 2021
She argues that killing for profit isn’t essential to the economy; abolishing carnism would likely disrupt corporate power structures more than the general populace.
In simple terms: Economy isn’t dependent on killing; power structures would suffer.
Key Takeaway
Challenge economic systems that rely on exploitation.
Themes
ethics
economics
power
animal rights
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- consumer activism
- corporate accountability
- educational campaigns
Key Concepts
carnism
economic imperatives
structural change
Questions to Reflect On
- What would replace the economic role of animal exploitation?
- How can societies transition without destabilizing economies?
A Different Perspective
Economic collapse is unlikely; other factors sustain economies.
