Communism Quote by Thomas Piketty
““I belong to a generation that came of age listening to news of the collapse of the Communist dicatorships and never felt the slightest affection or nostalgia for those regimes or for the Soviet Union. I was vaccinated for life against the conventional but lazy rhetoric of anticapitalism, some of which simply ignored the historic failure of Communism and much of which turned its back on the intellectual means necessary to push beyond it. I have no interest in denouncing inequality or capitalism per se—especially since social inequalities are not in themselves a problem as long as they are justified, that is, “founded only upon common utility,” as article 1 of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen proclaims.””
About This Quote
The author rejects nostalgic sentiment for failed regimes, emphasizing that inequality is acceptable only when it serves common utility, as articulated in the 1789 Declaration.
In simple terms: Inequality is okay if it benefits everyone.
Key Takeaway
Justice requires utility‑based justification of inequality.
Themes
political theory
economics
history
justice
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
political commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debates on wealth redistribution
- education about Cold‑War history
- evaluating social welfare programs
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
social contract
Practical Applications
- Assess policies for common utility before accepting inequality.
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we measure 'common utility'?
- When does inequality become unjust?
A Different Perspective
Utility can be subjective; what benefits the majority may still harm minorities.
![“Whenever the communists are under fire, it [the term "red-baiter"] has served to divert attention from the subject matter to futile discussion of personal motives, the critic’s private life and other deliberate tricks of befuddlement.” quote by Eugene Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/294/eugene-lyons-96062_communism_whenever-the-communists-are-under-fire-i_449530.jpg)
