Consistency Quote by Michael Parenti
“With unfailing consistency, U.S. intervention has been on the side of the rich and powerful of various nations at the expense of the poor and needy. Rather than strengthening democracies, U.S. leaders have overthrown numerous democratically elected governments or other populist regimes in dozens of countries ... whenever these nations give evidence of putting the interests of their people ahead of the interests of multinational corporate interests.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Imperialism and the United States by Michael Parenti, 2004
U.S. interventions often favor wealthy elites, undermining democracy and harming the poor.
In simple terms: U.S. actions help rich, hurt poor.
Key Takeaway
Question motives of power.
Themes
politics
imperialism
inequality
democracy
foreign policy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- development aid
- voting rights
- civil society
- media analysis
Key Concepts
economic exploitation
geopolitics
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist to protect democracy?
- How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
A Different Perspective
Intervention can sometimes protect human rights.
![“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter [that is, her fellow cities] had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49” quote by Derek Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b6b/derek-prince-16908_children_look-this-was-the-iniquity-of-your-siste_1636079.jpg)
![“[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)
