The capitalist class rules but does not govern: it contents itself with ruling the government.
Interpretation
The capitalist class exerts influence over government while not directly governing itself.
This quote by Karl Kautsky highlights the dynamic between the capitalist class and political governance, suggesting that while capitalists hold significant power and influence over the state, they do not engage in governance directly. Instead, they manipulate and control the political apparatus from the background, focusing on maintaining their ruling status rather than involving themselves in the day-to-day management of government affairs.
In practice
During a lecture on the influence of money in politics, one might reference this quote to illustrate the relationship between capitalism and governance.
Nurturing and cherishing creation is a command God gives not only at the beginning of history, but to each of us. It is part of his plan; it means causing the world to grow responsibly, transforming it so that it may be a garden, a habitable place for everyone.
It especially annoys me when racists are accused of 'discrimination.' The ability to discriminate is a precious faculty; by judging all members on one 'race' to be the same, the racist precisely shows himself incapable of discrimination.
So, the world happens twice--_x000D_ once what we see it as;_x000D_ second it legends itself_x000D_ deep, the way it is.
The roots of the problems we face in the world, in our national life, and in our family and personal lives are spiritual.
A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society … A social engineer [is] a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who [understands] the Constitution of the United States and [knows] how to explore its uses in the solving of problems of local communities and in bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens.
It is far more important to me to preserve an unblemished conscience than to compass any object however great.
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