Culture Quote by Noam Chomsky
“What the public wants is called 'politically unrealistic.' Translated into English, that means power and privilege are opposed to it.”
About This Quote
Claims that what the public desires is labeled “politically unrealistic,” meaning it challenges existing power and privilege.
In simple terms: Public wishes clash with entrenched power structures.
Key Takeaway
Question narratives that dismiss popular demands.
Themes
politics
power
public opinion
inequality
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy debates
- activist campaigns
Key Concepts
critical theory
media analysis
social movements
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “realistic” in politics?
- Who decides what is unrealistic?
A Different Perspective
Labeling ideas unrealistic can stifle legitimate change.
![“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)
