Capacity Quote by Michael Parenti
“Capital requires protection, as do the institutions through which it operates. As capital expands its operations, the state that is associated with its protection must develop its capacity for autocratic control. Thus, the "Free World" increasingly resembles a dreary string of heartless police states.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy for the Few by Michael Parenti, 2004
Capital needs protection, which expands state power, turning free societies into authoritarian police states.
In simple terms: Protection of capital leads to authoritarianism.
Key Takeaway
Guard against state overreach in protecting wealth.
Themes
economics
state power
authoritarianism
freedom
Mood
critical
cautious
Type
political
economic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- regulatory reform
- civil liberties advocacy
- public policy analysis
- corporate governance
Key Concepts
political economy
surveillance capitalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we protect capital without sacrificing freedom?
- What alternatives exist to state‑driven protection?
A Different Perspective
Economic growth can coexist with liberty.
![“[The ruling elites] know who their enemies are, and their enemies are the people, the people at home and the people abroad. Their enemies are anybody who wants more social justice, anybody who wants to use the surplus value of society for social needs rather than for individual class greed, that's…” quote by Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/465/michael-parenti-7383_class_the-ruling-elites-know-who-their-enemies_177994.jpg)
