Prohibition is an attempted cure that makes matters worse - for both the addict and the rest of us.
Milton FriedmanRead
The prison industrial complex is perhaps, at least domestically, the most striking example of us putting profit before people. It all stems from one basic misunderstanding: that the public good can be shepherded by private interests.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the prioritization of profits over the well-being of individuals within the prison system.
Eugene Jarecki's quote highlights the problematic relationship between privatization and the public good, particularly in the context of the prison industrial complex. He suggests that the focus on profit leads to a fundamental misunderstanding of how societal welfare can be effectively managed, implying that relying on private interests to oversee such critical public institutions erodes the fundamental values of humanity and justice.
Themes
PrisonProfitPublic GoodPrivate InterestsJustice
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the ethics of the prison system at a community meeting.
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