World War II made prosperous the United States, which had been undergoing a depression for a dozen years, and made very rich those magnates and their managers who govern the republic - with many a wink - in the people's name.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how World War II economically benefited the United States and its elite while masking the struggles of the general populace.
Gore Vidal's quote reflects on the paradox of World War II, where it acted as a catalyst for economic prosperity in the United States, pulling the nation out of a prolonged depression. However, this wealth seemed to primarily enrich the powerful elite and their managers, suggesting a disconnect between the financial gains experienced at the national level and the reality faced by everyday citizens, as those in power continued to operate under the guise of serving the common good.
In practice
During a discussion on the impact of wars on economies, one might refer to Gore Vidal's insight.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
In the new Georgia, Stalin is no longer Georgian. He's a Russian emperor.
One has to confront history honestly.
My staff was unanimous in believing that Japan was on the point of collapse and surrender.
Some of the most moving experiences I've had are just in black churches in the South, during the Civil Rights Movement, where people were getting beaten, killed, really struggling for the most elementary rights.
I give it as my fixed opinion, that but for our graduated cadets, the war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably would have lasted some four or five years, with, in its first half, more defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a peace without the loss of a single battle or skirmish.
Blood alone moves the wheels of history.
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