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About this quote

What does it mean?
This satirical remark points out that exploitation exists under both capitalism and communism.
In plain terms
Exploitation happens in both systems, just with different roles reversed.
What can you take from it?
No economic system is free from exploitation.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • economic theory
  • historical analysis

Putting it to work

  • critique all economic systems
  • avoid idealizing systems

Questions to consider

  • Are all economic systems flawed?
  • How do we reduce exploitation?

Another view

It uses irony that may obscure the real differences between the systems.

More from John Kenneth Galbraith

  1. Trickle-down theory - the less than elegant metaphor that if one feeds the horse enough oats, some will pass through to the road for the sparrows.

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  2. We all agree that pessimism is a mark of superior intellect.

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  3. There are times in politics when you must be on the right side and lose.

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