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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.

Noam Chomsky#57

PoliticsPolicyEconomyLanguageReformTaxes

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

  • reading legislation
  • analyzing budget
  • discussing taxes

Putting it to work

  • scrutinize policy language
  • identify wealth transfers
  • track who benefits

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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