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About this quote

What does it mean?
Butler compares his global military service to organized crime, noting his racket operated across continents unlike local gangsters.
In plain terms
His military racket covered entire continents.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the scale of institutional crime.

Where it applies

  • historical critique
  • policy analysis
  • public discourse

Putting it to work

  • accountability
  • public education
  • policy reform

Questions to consider

  • What distinguishes state from criminal violence?
  • Who profits most?

Another view

Some view military actions as legitimate defense.

More from Smedley Butler

  1. 'My interest is, my one hobby is, maintaining a democracy. If you get these 500,000 soldiers advocating anything smelling of Fascism, I am going to get 500,000…

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  2. 'I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wa…

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  3. 'A few profit - and the many pay. But there is a way to stop it. You can't end it by disarmament conferences. You can't eliminate it by peace parleys at Geneva…

    Permalink to quote #4

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