--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: History has shown us many times that if…" description: "\"History has shown us many times that if the state repressively forces the redistribution of wealth and social justice, it becomes dangerous both for de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af6/rohini-nilekani-5437_creativity_history-has-shown-us-many-times-that-if_421946.jpg" --- # History has shown us many times that if the state… ![“History has shown us many times that if the state repressively forces the redistribution of wealth and social justice, it becomes dangerous both for democracy and for human creativity. Yet, restraining the excesses of a capitalist structure that creates new inequities seems to need more than good…” quote by Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af6/rohini-nilekani-5437_creativity_history-has-shown-us-many-times-that-if_421946.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af6/rohini-nilekani-5437_creativity_history-has-shown-us-many-times-that-if_421946.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af6/rohini-nilekani-5437_creativity_history-has-shown-us-many-times-that-if_421946.jpg) > “History has shown us many times that if the state repressively forces the redistribution of wealth and social justice, it becomes dangerous both for democracy and for human creativity. Yet, restraining the excesses of a capitalist structure that creates new inequities seems to need more than good public policy.” [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. State‑driven wealth redistribution can stifle democracy and creativity; balancing regulation with innovation is complex. **In simple terms:** Heavy regulation can hurt freedom and creativity. Key Takeaway Seek balanced policies that protect equity without over‑controlling. Themes economics politics creativity regulation Mood analytical concerned Type philosophical policy‑oriented When to use this quote - government budgeting - startup ecosystems - social welfare programs Key Concepts social justice public policy inequality Questions to Reflect On - What balance of regulation and freedom is optimal? - How can policy foster both equity and innovation? A Different Perspective Over‑regulation may suppress entrepreneurial spirit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalist Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalist-structure-3739432/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Excesses Capitalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excesses-capitalist-3739433/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Inequities Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inequities-need-3739434/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Redistribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/redistribution/) [Redistribution of wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/redistribution-of-wealth/) [Redistribution Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/redistribution-wealth-284030/) [Social justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-justice/) ## Related quotes > [The people who are working, paying their taxes are put into the system so that affordable housing could be built in neighborhoods that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bolling/the-people-who-are-working-paying-their-taxes-are-put-into-the-system/) [Eric Bolling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bolling/) > [I don't believe in a redistribution of wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-don-t-believe-in-a-redistribution-of-wealth/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I look at the idea of eliminating the state and local tax deduction as a geographic redistribution of wealth, because you're taking money from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/i-look-at-the-idea-of-eliminating-the-state-and-local-tax-deduction/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [You are talking to a leftist. I believe in the redistribution of wealth and power in the world. I believe in universal hospital care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbie-hoffman/you-are-talking-to-a-leftist-i-believe-in-the-redistribution-of/) [Abbie Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbie-hoffman/) > [I actually believe in redistribution (of wealth)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-actually-believe-in-redistribution-of-wealth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Fairness does not require the redistribution of wealth; it requires the creation of wealth, geared to an economy that can provide employment for everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-rohatyn/fairness-does-not-require-the-redistribution-of-wealth-it-requires/) [Felix Rohatyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-rohatyn/) > [The need for de-development presents our economists with a major challenge. They must design a stable, low-consumption economy in which there is a much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-holdren/the-need-for-de-development-presents-our-economists-with-a-major/) [John Holdren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-holdren/) > [Redistribution of wealth would require enormous amounts of investment. The only time an elite has accepted this has been during crises, such as in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-george/redistribution-of-wealth-would-require-enormous-amounts-of-investment/) [Susan George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-george/) > [A climate change response must have at its heart a redistribution of wealth and resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-brindal/a-climate-change-response-must-have-at-its-heart-a-redistribution-of/) [Emma Brindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-brindal/) > [I believe Social Security is unjust. I think it's wrong. I think it penalizes responsible people. It penalizes the young and it's a massive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaron-brook/i-believe-social-security-is-unjust-i-think-it-s-wrong-i-think-it/) [Yaron Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaron-brook/) > [“Without some redistribution of wealth and power, downward mobility and debilitating poverty will continue to drive people into desperate channels. And without principled opposition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/without-some-redistribution-of-wealth-and-power-downward-mobility-and/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [“The Constitution is quite clear that the government has the right to tax in order to support its programs, but there is nothing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-carson/the-constitution-is-quite-clear-that-the-government-has-the-right-to/) [Ben Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-carson/) > [The poor of the world cannot be made rich by the redistribution of wealth. Poverty can't be eliminated by punishing people who've escaped poverty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/the-poor-of-the-world-cannot-be-made-rich-by-the-redistribution-of/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [ \[Steven\] Lerner said that unions and community organizations are, for all intents and purposes, dead. The only way to achieve their goals, therefore -… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/steven-lerner-said-that-unions-and-community-organizations-are-for/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The siren song of redistribution of wealth by centralized government never ceases for those who seek irreversible and unusurpable control over the lives and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-jones/the-siren-song-of-redistribution-of-wealth-by-centralized-government/) [Josh Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-jones/) ## More by Rohini Nilekani > [I was always clear that I didn't want to just do pure charity. My thinking was definitely about looking at the levers in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/i-was-always-clear-that-i-didn-t-want-to-just-do-pure-charity-my/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [My mission is to put a book in every child's hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/my-mission-is-to-put-a-book-in-every-child-s-hand/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [No single institution or effort can effectively create solutions for societal problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/no-single-institution-or-effort-can-effectively-create-solutions-for/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Addressing governance issues are important because whichever silo you work in, be it education, microfinance, sanitation, food or health, you would eventually hit governance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/addressing-governance-issues-are-important-because-whichever-silo-you/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [As with oil, water exploitation raises an inter-generational debt that will be hard to repay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/as-with-oil-water-exploitation-raises-an-inter-generational-debt-that/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Often, our laws and policies reflect patriarchal biases that can trap men in stereotypes - for example, the idea of guarding the modesty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/often-our-laws-and-policies-reflect-patriarchal-biases-that-can-trap/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [What role can such philanthropy play in a society like ours? For one, philanthropic capital can go where markets will not go and where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/what-role-can-such-philanthropy-play-in-a-society-like-ours-for-one/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [It was only in 2001 that I set up a foundation, Arghyam. That was pretty much to learn the ropes of how to give,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/it-was-only-in-2001-that-i-set-up-a-foundation-arghyam-that-was/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Indian philanthropy doesn't take enough risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/indian-philanthropy-doesn-t-take-enough-risk/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Everything does not have to be a commodity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/everything-does-not-have-to-be-a-commodity/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [As citizens, we have to co-create good governance, we cannot outsource it and hope to be passively happy consumers. Like everything worth its while,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/as-citizens-we-have-to-co-create-good-governance-we-cannot-outsource/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [It is one thing to obey a government order. It is quite another to succumb to resurrected irrational fears, especially of 'the other.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/it-is-one-thing-to-obey-a-government-order-it-is-quite-another-to/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [In India, while there are some initiatives working with and for adolescent girls, there are too few state sponsored programmes for adolescent boys, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/in-india-while-there-are-some-initiatives-working-with-and-for/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [The Giving Pledge is not meant to be prescriptive or restrictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/the-giving-pledge-is-not-meant-to-be-prescriptive-or-restrictive/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Poor governance affects us all - entrepreneurs, homemakers, farmers, labourers, whatever identities we might have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/poor-governance-affects-us-all-entrepreneurs-homemakers-farmers/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) [Explore all 100 Rohini Nilekani quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) ## More Creativity quotes > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“The Soviet “creative intelligentsia” - that is, people accustomed to thinking one thing, saying another and doing a third - is as a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-amalrik/the-soviet-creative-intelligentsia-that-is-people-accustomed-to/) [Andrei Amalrik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-amalrik/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/a-rock-pile-ceases-to-be-a-rock-pile-the-moment-a-single-man/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“You are the end of beauty and creativity one must have created so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-are-the-end-of-beauty-and-creativity-one-must-have-created-so-far/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [If you've got creativity, imagination, and intelligence, and you want to be hypnotised, then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/if-you-ve-got-creativity-imagination-and-intelligence-and-you-want-to/) [Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/) > [“I believe in magic. As a writer, I create them on blank paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonnia-kemmer/i-believe-in-magic-as-a-writer-i-create-them-on-blank-paper/) [Sonnia Kemmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonnia-kemmer/) > [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/) [Christoph Niemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-niemann/) > [It is proposed that a form of free dialogue may well be one of the most effective ways of investigating the crisis which faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/it-is-proposed-that-a-form-of-free-dialogue-may-well-be-one-of-the/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 13,625 Creativity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "History has shown us many times that if the state repressively forces the redistribution of wealth and social justice, it becomes dangerous both for democracy and for human creativity. 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