Reform is a word you always ought to watch out for. Like, when Mao started the Cultural Revolution it wasn't called a reform; reform is a change that you're supposed to like. So as soon as you hear the word reform you can reach for your wallet and see who's lifting it. [...] Subsidy is another interesting word, kinda like reform. It's a subsidy if public funds are used for public purposes, that's called a subsidy. It's not called a subsidy when it goes to private wealth, that's reform or something.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Words like reform and subsidy are used to disguise wealth transfers from public to private interests.
- In plain terms
- Terms like reform hide when public money goes to private wealth.
- What can you take from it?
- Watch language to spot when public funds serve private interests.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who benefits from this reform?
- Why use specific words for this policy?
Another view
Some reforms genuinely aim to help the public.
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