Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear.
Naomi KleinRead
Those looking for ideology in the White House should consider this: For the men who rule our world, rules are for other people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the hypocrisy of leaders who impose rules on others while not adhering to them themselves.
Naomi Klein's quote critiques the disconnect between those in power and the general populace. It suggests that while leaders may advocate for various ideologies or rules, they often do not follow these rules personally, indicating a significant moral and ethical divide in governance versus the lived experience of ordinary people. This exposes a troubling reality where the powerful operate under a different set of standards than those they expect from the citizens they govern.
Themes
IdeologyPowerHypocrisyGovernanceLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, one might reference this quote to discuss the ethics of leadership.
More from Naomi Klein
All quotes βBecause it is such a huge crisis, because it puts us on a firm science-based deadline, it's a once-in-a-century opportunity to build a better society and address raging inequality, create huge numbers of jobs, rebuild our public infrastructure. But, we can't do it unless we break every single rule in the free-market playbook. Which is why the worst people in the world all deny climate change.
Naomi KleinRead
Terrorism doesn't just blow up buildings; it blasts every other issue off the political map. The spectre of terrorism - real and exaggerated - has become a shield of impunity, protecting governments around the world from scrutiny for their human rights abuses.
Naomi KleinRead
Everybody that's trying to get anything progressive done in this country knows that the biggest barrier is getting money out of politics.
Naomi KleinRead
I think I would say that there is absolutely no way to reconcile an austerity agenda with climate action. Our political class needs to understand that the fight against austerity and the fight for climate action are the same fight.
Naomi KleinRead
I think the fossil fuel industry is genuinely freaked out by the combination of the price collapse, the divestment movement, and that fact that renewable energy is getting so cheap so fast.
Naomi KleinRead
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There is often, in the affairs of government, more efficiency and wisdom in non-action than in action.
John C. CalhounRead
Imagine a political system so radical as to promise to move more of the poorest 20% of the population into the richest 20% than remain in the poorest bracket within the decade? You don't need to imagine it. It's called the United States of America.
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History will also give occasion to expatiate on the advantage of civil orders and constitutions; how men and their properties are protected by joining in societies and establishing government; their industry encouraged and rewarded, arts invented, and life made more comfortable; the advantages of liberty, mischiefs of licentiousness, benefits arising from good laws and a due execution of justice. Thus may the first principles of sound politics be fixed in the minds of youth.
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A politician, he knows that the majority cares little for ideals or integrity. What it craves is display.
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All that is needed is money and a candidate who can be coached to look sincere. Political principles and plans for specific action have come to lose most of their importance. The personality of the candidate, the way he is projected by the advertising experts, are the things that really matter.
Aldous HuxleyRead