Business Quote by Stephen Schlesinger
““With intimidating financial resources and shrewd planning, the United Fruit Company thus deployed a platoon of lobbyists and publicists at a cost of over a half million dollars a year to convince Americans that something evil was afoot in guatemala. The company worked both the left and the right of the American political leadership and won the backing of both liberals and conservatives for its policies in Guatemala. This campaign, so ably executed by Edward Bernays, Thomas Corcoran, John Clements and Spruille Braden, had a remarkable impact on the U.S. government.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala, 1954”, 2005
Corporate lobbying used massive resources to shape US policy, influencing both political sides.
In simple terms: Companies can sway politics with money and propaganda.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden influence.
Themes
political manipulation
corporate power
media influence
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- media literacy
- activism
Key Concepts
propaganda
lobbying tactics
Cold War politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify covert corporate influence?
- What safeguards can prevent such manipulation?
A Different Perspective
Complex motives may be oversimplified.
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