Capitalism as a social order and as a creed is the expression of the belief in economic progress as leading toward the freedom and equality of the individual in a free and open society. Marxism expects this society to result from the abolition of private profit. Capitalism expects the free and equal society to result from the enthronement of private profit as supreme ruler of social behavior... -- The End of Economic Man (1939)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Capitalism and Marxism both aim for a free and equal society but differ on whether private profit drives that outcome.
- In plain terms
- Capitalism and Marxism want the same end goal but use opposite methods regarding profit.
- What can you take from it?
- Ideologies may share goals but diverge sharply on the means to achieve them.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can profit serve the public good?
- What defines a free society?
Another view
It oversimplifies the complex goals of both capitalism and Marxism.
More from Peter F. Drucker
There is an unbroken chain of opposition to the introduction of economic freedom and to the capitalist autonomy of the economic sphere. ...In every case the op…
Permalink to quote #67 Fascism is the result of the collapse of Europe's spiritual and social order. ...catastrophes broke through the everyday routine which makes men accept existin…
Permalink to quote #69 With Christianity, freedom and equality became the two basic concepts of Europe; they are themselves Europe. -- The End of Economic Man (1939)
Permalink to quote #66
Related quotes
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
George WashingtonGeorge Washington quote #1 Remember, America: organization will set you free.
Alton BrownAlton Brown quote #1 An intelligent, energetic, educated woman cannot be kept in four walls - even satin-lined, diamond-studded walls - without discovering sooner or later that the…
Pearl BuckPearl Buck quote #1