Capitalism Quote by Paul Craig Roberts
“Capitalists make money by exploiting labor and by externalizing the costs of the wastes produced by the productive process by imposing the wastes on the environment.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Commentary, Paul Craig Roberts, 2015
Capitalism often shifts labor exploitation and environmental damage onto workers and nature, obscuring true costs.
In simple terms: Profit comes from exploiting labor and externalizing waste.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden costs of production.
Themes
economics
environment
labor
exploitation
capitalism
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- business strategy
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
externalities
cost shifting
environmental impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we internalize external costs?
- What policies can protect workers and the planet?
A Different Perspective
Profit motives can ignore human and ecological well‑being.
![“[Women need to realize that with] what they have in their hands there is no limit to what they could accomplish. The trouble is they let the capitalists make them believe they wouldn't be ladylike.” quote by Mother Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d21/mother-jones-16588_quote_women-need-to-realize-that-with-what-the_2209540.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)
