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David Korten Quotes

Powerful David Korten for Daily Growth

About David Korten

David C. Korten is an American author, activist, and scholar, renowned for his work on economics, culture, and social change. Born in 1946 in the United States, he grew up in a small town in Ohio and later attended Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan. Influenced by the counterculture movement of the 1960s and his experiences living and working in rural Mexico, Korten developed a deep interest in community development, sustainable agriculture, and indigenous cultures. He spent several years in Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer before returning to the United States to pursue an academic career. Korten's most influential work is "When Corporations Rule the World" (2001), which argues that global corporations have seized control of the world's political and economic systems, leading to widespread poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. He also authored "The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community" (2006) and "Change the Story, Change the Future: A Living Economy for a Living Earth" (2015), both of which propose alternative models for a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. In addition to his writing, Korten has been an influential voice in progressive movements, including the global justice movement, the solidarity economy movement, and the movement for democratic governance. He is a distinguished author in residence at the Center for Third World Organizing (CTWO) and a senior fellow of the New Economy Working Group. Throughout his career, David Korten has been a tireless advocate for social justice, economic democracy, and ecological sustainability. His work continues to inspire individuals and communities around the world to reimagine and build a more equitable and regenerative future.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The work of the world is common to all who live upon it. But the fruits thereof belong to those who cultivate it. The overthrow of the corporate empire is a condition for the resurrection of democracy."

This quote by David Korten implies that the responsibility and tasks associated with maintaining society, the world, or Earth in general, are shared by all its inhabitants. However, the benefits or "fruits" derived from this common work (such as prosperity, resources, and knowledge) should be distributed equitably to those who contribute to it. Korten suggests that a key step towards restoring democracy is overthrowing corporate dominance, which he sees as an obstacle to fair distribution of these fruits. Essentially, he is advocating for a more balanced and equitable society where the benefits of work are shared among its participants rather than being monopolized by a few powerful corporations.

"The more we learn about the world, the less we can ignore our responsibilities as citizens of that world."

This quote highlights the idea that as humanity accumulates knowledge about the world, we also gain a greater understanding of our role within it. It underscores the notion that with increased awareness comes a heightened sense of responsibility to act in a manner that contributes positively to our global community. Essentially, David Korten is encouraging us to recognize and fulfill our duties as inhabitants of this shared planet Earth.

"Corporations have no conscience, no understanding of moral or ethical obligations. They will satisfy their imperatives to maximize profits at any social cost."

David Korten's quote underscores the inherent amorality of corporations, emphasizing that they prioritize profit over all else, regardless of the societal or moral costs involved. This highlights a crucial need for oversight and ethical guidelines in corporate behavior to protect society and ensure long-term sustainability.

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

This quote emphasizes the intergenerational responsibility that humanity holds towards Earth. It suggests we are merely stewards or caretakers of this planet, and not its rightful owners. Our actions today will impact future generations, hence, we "borrow" the Earth from them. This highlights the importance of sustainable practices and thoughtful resource management to ensure a healthy planet for our children and their children.

"The global economy is in crisis not because of an isolated problem but because of a systemic failure of the dominant paradigm, which puts private profit ahead of human and community well-being and environmental sustainability."

The quote suggests that the current global economic crisis isn't due to a solitary issue but rather to a systematic flaw in the prevailing economic system. This system values private profit over the welfare of people, communities, and the environment. In simpler terms, it implies that our capitalist economy is causing its own problems by prioritizing short-term financial gains above long-term societal and ecological sustainability.

In a world of increasing inequality, the legitimacy of institutions that give precedence to the property rights of 'the Haves' over the human rights of 'the Have Nots' is inevitably called into serious question.

- David Korten

Question, Give, Over, Institutions

Moreover, statistics can be deceiving: the growth of jobs in the US in the 90s was due to many part-time jobs, with no benefits and generally low pay.

- David Korten

Benefits, Pay, Jobs, Deceiving

In the US, most progressives start to see the differences between internationalism and economic globalization.

- David Korten

Globalization, See, Most, Internationalism

The EU will face problems similar to the US: an increasing gap between the citizens and decision makers in Brussels and a perceived or even real lack of democracy.

- David Korten

Decision, Will, Similar, EU

If I would need to make a prediction I still believe Kaplan's scenario is very plausible.

- David Korten

Very, Still, Would, Plausible

If you look internationally over the last 50 years there have been improvements in the third world, but in the last 20 years the reverse has happened, with debt crises and increased poverty.

- David Korten

Over, Crises, Third World, Internationally

My claim is that we do not have a market economy, but a capitalist economy.

- David Korten

Economy, Market, Capitalist, Claim

Money is not wealth. Money is a claim on wealth.

- David Korten

Money, Wealth, Claim

It is interesting to note that the 200 richest people have more assets than the 2 billion poorest.

- David Korten

Assets, Note, Poorest, Richest

If you look at the US economy over the last 15-20 years wages have been stagnating or even declining.

- David Korten

Over, Been, Last, Declining

And each of these perspectives comes to the same conclusion, which is that our global economy is out of control and performing contrary to basic principles of market economics.

- David Korten

Performing, Global, Which, Perspectives

Not exclusively, but the bulk of our local economy should be covered by local currencies, which is more efficient than having global currencies which lose connection with reality in the markets, shops and communities of the people.

- David Korten

Efficient, Which, Having, Communities

More humane societies are usually smaller, like the Scandinavian countries and Holland, where it is much easier to reach consensus and cooperation.

- David Korten

Like, Smaller, Humane, Scandinavian

Capitalism is not about free competitive choices among people who are reasonably equal in their buying and selling of economic power, it is about concentrating capital, concentrating economic power in very few hands using that power to trash everyone who gets in their way.

- David Korten

Very, Capital, Concentrating, Reasonably

There is a huge shift taking place in the global awareness in the last 5 years with strong views about globalization and the power structures of major corporations.

- David Korten

Strong, Globalization, Last, Corporations

Capitalism and the market are presented as synonymous, but they are not. Capitalism is both the enemy of the market and democracy.

- David Korten

Enemy, Capitalism, Market, Presented

The first principle of the market economy is that it is comprised of many small buyers and sellers, which implies a substantial degree of equity. Another fundamental market principle is that costs are internalized in the producer's price.

- David Korten

Small, Costs, Which, Implies

So, there is enormous instability in the global economy with a shift of winners and losers.

- David Korten

Winners, Shift, Global, Instability

But in the past, US companies have been able to increase their profits through downsizing in the US, through colonizing other people's resources, and through the increase of globalization.

- David Korten

Through, In The Past, Been, Increase

Money flows into the US, and inflates US assets, and allows the US to have a monstrous trade deficit. That means we are consuming more than we are producing.

- David Korten

More, Monstrous, Means, Assets

Money is a mechanism for control.

- David Korten

Money, Control, Mechanism

Europeans say they are proud of their social fabric, of strong rights for workers and the weak in society.

- David Korten

Strong, Proud, Social, Social Fabric

Wall Street sees a social fabric or social contract as inefficiencies, which need to be removed.

- David Korten

Need, Social, Which, Social Fabric

The professional study of economics has become ideological brainwashing. It is a defense of the excesses of the capitalist system.

- David Korten

Economics, Study, Capitalist, Excess

More and more surveys in the US are indicating a change in values taking place among consumers, who become more concerned about quality of life, food, health and the environment.

- David Korten

Change, More, Concerned, Consumers

It will take some time before a politician will capture the imagination of the American people and have the vision and understanding to do what is necessary for a better future for the people of America and the world.

- David Korten

Will, Better Future, Some, Capture

There is no visible sign that the current politicians in the US are willing to see the need for change.

- David Korten

Current, See, Visible, Politicians

There are actually very few US politicians who have integrity and vision.

- David Korten

Vision, Very, Actually, Politicians

Global competition is about winners and losers.

- David Korten

Winners, About, Global, Losers

My own experience in the third world was that even if people started to make more money, the cost of living and housing increased often faster than the wages.

- David Korten

Living, Cost, Increased, Third World

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