Capitalism Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““In the nineteenth century the Industrial Revolution created a huge urban proletariat, and socialism spread because no other creed managed to answer the unprecedented needs, hopes and fears of this new working class. Liberalism eventually defeated socialism only by adopting the best parts of the socialist programme. In the twenty-first century we might witness the creation of a massive new unworking class: people devoid of any economic, political or even artistic value, who contribute nothing to the prosperity, power and glory of society. This ‘useless class’ will not merely be unemployed – it will be unemployable.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Homo Deus, 2015
Technological change may create a large group lacking economic and social value, challenging traditional political and economic systems.
In simple terms: Tech could create a “useless class”.
Key Takeaway
Address emerging inequality.
Themes
technology
economics
politics
future studies
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
philosophical
speculative
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- social safety nets
- community building
Key Concepts
automation
AI
social stratification
labor market
Questions to Reflect On
- Will new roles emerge?
- How can societies adapt?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all will be unemployable, ignoring adaptability.
![“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)
