Accountability Quote by Noam Chomsky
“What is called 'capitalism'is basically a system of corporate mercantilism, with huge and largely unaccountable private tyrannies exercising vast control over the economy, political systems, and social and cultural life, operating in close cooperation with powerful states that intervene massively in the domestic economy and international society.”
About This Quote
Capitalism is portrayed as a network of powerful private entities that dominate economic, political, and cultural spheres, often with limited accountability, while cooperating with state interventions.
In simple terms: Capitalism = powerful private control with state collusion.
Key Takeaway
Economic power can become unaccountable and pervasive.
Themes
political economy
corporate power
state‑capital relations
social critique
Mood
critical
cynical
Type
political
sociological
When to use this quote
- policy debates on regulation
- media ownership analysis
- public protests
- academic courses on capitalism
Key Concepts
mercantilism
privatized tyranny
Practical Applications
- advocate for transparency laws
- support antitrust actions
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can ensure corporate accountability?
- How does state‑corporate partnership affect democratic processes?
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
