"On one level the sixties revolt was an impressive illustration of Lenin's remark that the capitalist will sell you the rope to hang him with"
- Ellen Willis
About this Quote
This quote by Ellen Willis is referring to the social and political turmoil of the 1960s, which was a period of extreme demonstration and civil discontent. The quote is suggesting that the capitalist system, which was the target of much of the objection, remained in some means in charge of its very own failure. This is due to the fact that the capitalist system supplied the resources as well as tools needed for the protesters to rock the boat. This is an instance of Lenin's well-known quote that "the capitalist will sell you the rope to hang him with," suggesting that the capitalist system will provide the methods for its own damage. The 1960s revolt was an effective example of this, as the protesters utilized the sources and also tools provided by the capitalist system to test it. This quote is a reminder that the capitalist system is not unyielding and also can be tested and also altered.
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