Arms Quote by Miriam Makeba
“For instance, we're always fighting amongst each other. Who gives us the arms? And then we become indebted to wherever we are buying them from - with what? The very resources we need to keep there.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1990s African political commentary, unknown platform
People fight among themselves, then become dependent on those who supply weapons, creating a cycle of debt and resource exploitation.
In simple terms: Conflict leads to reliance on weapon suppliers, causing debt and resource loss.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and break cycles of dependency.
Themes
conflict
dependency
resource exploitation
politics
economics
Mood
concerned
critical
reflective
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- war zones
- political negotiations
- resource management
- peacebuilding
Key Concepts
colonialism
military-industrial complex
dependency theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dependency shape power dynamics?
- What alternatives exist to break this cycle?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all conflict is external; internal causes also matter.
![“He [Belafonte] was a good teacher and looked after me. He said, 'You have such great talent, you must try not to be a tornado - be like a submarine. It was good advice when I found myself speaking at the UN Committee Against Apartheid and then the UN General Assembly.” quote by Miriam Makeba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e74/miriam-makeba-14520_advice_he-belafonte-was-a-good-teacher-and-look_491185.jpg)
