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About this quote

What does it mean?
Debs argues ignorance is the main barrier to socialism and that capitalists keep workers in intellectual darkness to maintain control.
In plain terms
Ignorance blocks socialism, and capitalists keep workers ignorant to stay in power.
What can you take from it?
Education is essential to end worker exploitation.

Where it applies

  • education
  • organizing
  • public awareness

Putting it to work

  • promote education
  • share information
  • organize workers

Questions to consider

  • How does ignorance protect power?
  • What role does education play in change?

Another view

Economic factors may block socialism even with education.

More from Eugene V. Debs

  1. Deny it as may the cunning capitalists who are clear-sighted enough to perceive it, or ignore it as may the torpid workers who are too blind and unthinking to …

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  2. Death to Wage Slavery!

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  3. The Republican and Democratic parties, or, to be more exact, the Republican-Democratic party, represent the capitalist class in the class struggle. They are th…

    Permalink to quote #21

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