Capitalism Quote by Michael Parenti
“It is ironic that people of modest means sometimes become conservative out of a scarcity fear bred by the very capitalist system they support.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalism and Class, 1995
Points out a paradox where low‑income individuals adopt conservative views out of fear created by the very system they rely on.
In simple terms: Economic insecurity can drive conservative politics.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how scarcity shapes ideology.
Themes
politics
economics
psychology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting behavior
- policy debates
- social movements
Key Concepts
class consciousness
fear
systemic paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people cling to systems that harm them?
- How can alternative narratives be offered?
A Different Perspective
Simplifies complex motivations to a single cause.
![“[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)
![“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)
