America Quote by Steve Brouwer
““Astute social commentators had been anticipating this rightward shift since the early 1980s. Bertram Gross predicted, in his book Friendly Fascism, that the United States might arrive at a gentler form of the virulent ultranationalism, antilabor activity, and racism, which coalesced into fascism in Europe in the 1930s. Corporate America would tolerate such a rightward drift, so the argument went, because more government restrictions on personal freedom would enhance business efforts to discipline the labor force and increase corporate profits.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Friendly Fascism by Bertram Gross, 1980
The quote warns that corporate interests may favor a right‑leaning shift that curtails freedoms to boost profit, echoing historic fascist trends.
In simple terms: Corporate power may push politics rightward, limiting freedoms for profit.
Watch corporate influence on policy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- elections
- legislative lobbying
- business regulation
- public discourse
- media framing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does corporate profit motive affect democratic values?
- What safeguards can prevent authoritarian drift?
Assumes all corporate actions are uniformly self‑interested, ignoring dissenting voices.