Americans have a severe disease - worse than AIDS. It's called the winner's complex.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
In principle as a philosophy, a model of organising society, Communism has to be respected. As regards the use of certain methods to advance social justice and greater regulation by the state, there are certain methods that are useful. What we need is a new society, a new civilization and convergence of all that is best in both [Communism and Capitalism]
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the importance of combining the best elements of both Communism and Capitalism to create a new society.
Mikhail Gorbachev acknowledges the theoretical merits of Communism as an organizational philosophy and emphasizes the necessity of a balanced approach that incorporates effective methods from both Communism and Capitalism. He advocates for a new civilization that transcends existing ideologies, promoting social justice and stronger state regulation without dismissing the potential benefits each system provides.
Themes
CommunismCapitalismSocietySocial JusticeCivilization
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire discussions at political debates about the future of economic systems.
More from Mikhail Gorbachev
All quotes →Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about Glasnost and Perestroika and democracy in the coming years. They are primarily for outward consumption. There will be no significant internal changes in the Soviet Union, other than for cosmetic purposes. Our purpose is to disarm the Americans and let them fall asleep.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
The soviet people want full-blooded and unconditional democracy.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
New approaches are needed, new orientations in both thought and action. We must make the transition to a new civilization...We are talking of a transition toward a new civilization. No one knows what it will be like. What is important is to orient in that direction... I am convinced that a new civilization will inevitably take on certain features that are characteristic of, or inherent in, the socialist ideal.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
According to Lenin, socialism and democracy are indivisible.... The essence of perestroika lies in the fact that it unites socialism with democracy and revives the Leninist concept of socialist construction both in theory and in practice. We want more socialism and, therefore, more democracy.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
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