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Quote by Tony Judt

“Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today. For thirty years we have made a virtue out of the pursuit of material self-interest: indeed, this very pursuit now constitutes whatever remains of our sense of collective purpose. We know what things cost but have no idea what they are worth. We no longer ask of a judicial ruling or a legislative act: Is it good? Is it fair? Is it just? Is it right? Will it help bring about a better society or a better world? Those used to be the political questions, even if they invited no easy answers. We must learn once again to pose them. The materialistic and selfish quality of contemporary life is not inherent in the human condition. Much of what appears "natural" today dates from the 1980s: the obsession with wealth creation, the cult of privatization and the private sector, the growing disparities of rich and poor. And above all, the rhetoric that accompanies these: uncritical admiration for unfettered markets, disdain for the public sector, the delusion of endless growth. We cannot go on living like this. The little crash of 2008 was a reminder that unregulated capitalism is its own worst enemy: sooner or later it must fall prey to its own excesses and turn again to the state for rescue. But if we do no more than pick up the pieces and carry on as before, we can look forward to greater upheavals in years to come.”

Quote by Tony Judt

Book:Ill Fares the Land
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Ill Fares the Land

This book delves into the complexities of modern life, examining economic, social, and political problems that affect societies around the world. more

Author

Tony Judt
Tony Judt

Tony Judt was an accomplished historian renowned for his profound insights and critical analyses of 20th-century European history. His work covered a wide range of themes from the French Revolution to the end of the Cold War, with a particular focus on issues such as democracy, political freedom, and moral responsibility. more

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