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Quote by Michael Yates

“Most young people are or will soon enough be workers. They can help to energize and radicalize the workers' movement. And what revolution has ever succeeded without youth?”

Quote by Michael Yates

Author

Michael Yates is a renowned economist born in 1946. He has made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in labor economics and the structure of capitalist economies. more

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“All of the youth ferment on campuses is a very good thing. Lots of people are being permanently transformed and will do good thing throughout their lives. However, young people must be careful not to be coopted, even by labor unions and the like. They must keep their eye on a radical transformation of society.”

People Eye Young Youth Labor Transformation Good Things Unions Very Good Careful Radical Be Careful Transformed Campus Labor Union

Author:Michael Yates

“Of course we can talk about the radical potential of youth. But in the U.S. it is still the case that most youth are conservative and not very sympathetic to the working class.”

Stills Courses Class Cases Youth Conservative Radical Working Class Sympathetic

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“The main dividing line is still race. This is the issue that must be focused upon in all working class organizations.”

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Author:Michael Yates

“Without an understanding of the issue of race and a willingness to confront it head on, the working class will not build its strength.”

Understanding Race Class Issues Willingness Working Class

Author:Michael Yates

“Racism is the most divisive force in our society, so until it is dealt with we cannot hope for much.”

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Author:Michael Yates

“National chauvinism is a very tough nut to crack, since a vast propaganda network is in place to keep the workers whipped up into a patriotic frenzy. Maybe this will change, but I doubt it unless it is addressed.”

Doubt Tough Workers Propaganda Patriotic Cracks Nuts Frenzy Chauvinism

Author:Michael Yates

“I think the two issues, racism and chauvinism, are linked. Look at how much weaker was support for U.S. actions in Iraq among black people.”

People Thinking Looks Two Action Black Support Issues Racism Iraq Black People Linked Chauvinism

Author:Michael Yates

“The system has a way of convincing people that because they live in the USA they are better off than all other people in the world. This gets them focused on the wrong things, of course, but it has been a tried and true way of deflecting class struggle, something I don't think Marx didn't fully anticipated. The education system, and the whole culture really, has a lot to do with how these feelings are transmitted to each new generation. When parents say their kids were heroes when they died for nothing in Iraq, you can see the power of this.”

“Capitalism is a powerful producer of output, crisis-mongering on the left notwithstanding, and this too makes the system seem to have a lot of promise. This is why it is so important to agitate against the system in good times and bad. We can't depend on some super crisis to get folks thinking but instead have to focus on all of the contradictions of the system which cannot be ultimately resolved by it.”

Thinking Important Seems Left Powerful Focus Depends Promise Capitalism Crisis Folks Producers Contradiction Good Times Output Agitate

Author:Michael Yates

“We must not forget either that some of the system's resilience is due to its ability to coopt people with money and prestige. It is easy to get sucked right in. Those who grasp the system are also likely to be talented and capable of doing well within the system. Who will turn down a lot of money? Who doesn't have an ego? A compromise here, another one there, and pretty soon, you are sucked right in.”

People Wells Turns Easy Ability Forget Ego Capable Dues Resilience Compromise Lots Of Money Prestige Easy To Get

Author:Michael Yates