The only justification for repressive institutions is material and cultural deficit. But such institutions, at certain stages of history, perpetuate and produce such a deficit, and even threaten human survival.

Quote by Noam Chomsky

Topics: History Quotes

If we choose, we can live in a world of comforting illusion.

If we choose, we can live in a world of comforting illusion.

To some degree it matters who's in office, but it matters more how much pressure...

To some degree it matters who's in office, but it matters more how much pressure...

We can, for example, be fairly confident that either there will be a world without...

We can, for example, be fairly confident that either there will be a world without...

The intellectual tradition is one of servility to power, and if I didn't betray it...

The intellectual tradition is one of servility to power, and if I didn't betray it...

I have often thought that if a rational Fascist dictatorship were to exist, then it...

I have often thought that if a rational Fascist dictatorship were to exist, then it...

The principle that human nature, in its psychological aspects, is nothing more than a product...

The principle that human nature, in its psychological aspects, is nothing more than a product...

Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while maintaining privilege, a fact...

Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while maintaining privilege, a fact...

If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every post-war American president would have been hanged.

If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every post-war American president would have been hanged.

All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant...

All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant...

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the...

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the...

Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.

Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.

States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions.

States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions.

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe...

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe...

The United States is unusual among the industrial democracies in the rigidity of the system...

The United States is unusual among the industrial democracies in the rigidity of the system...

The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens,...

The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens,...

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

You never need an argument against the use of violence, you need an argument for...

You never need an argument against the use of violence, you need an argument for...

Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is...

Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is...

Everybody's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy way: stop participating in it.

Everybody's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy way: stop participating in it.

In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than just...

In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than just...