In the political, the social, the economic, even the cultural sphere, the revolutions of our time have been revolutions 'against' rather than revolutions 'for'... On the whole throughout this period the man--or party--that stood for doing the positive has usually cut a pathetic figure; well meaning but ineffectual, civilized but unrealistic, he was suspect alike to [by both] the ultras of destruction and the ultras of preservation and restoration. -- Landmarks of Tomorrow: A Report on the New 'Post-Modern' World (1959)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Drucker observes that modern revolutions tend to be against something rather than for a positive vision, leaving constructive forces weak and criticized by extremes.
- In plain terms
- Current movements focus on opposition, not constructive goals.
- What can you take from it?
- Positive, forward‑looking agendas are needed.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a movement constructive rather than merely oppositional?
- How can moderate voices gain influence?
Another view
Opposition can still catalyze change if channeled constructively.
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