“The existing world economic order constitutes a system of plundering and exploitation like no other in history. Thus, the peoples believe less and less in statements and promises.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“The existing world economic order constitutes a system of plundering and exploitation like no other in history. Thus, the peoples believe less and less in statements and promises.”
Explanation
This quote is a scathing indictment of the global economic system, which Fidel Castro characterizes as a mechanism of plunder and exploitation surpassing any in historical precedent. The phrase “like no other in history” underscores the scale, sophistication, and global reach of modern economic injustices, suggesting that neocolonialism and corporate-driven globalization perpetuate deep inequalities, especially in the Global South. Castro presents the current world order not as an engine of development, but as one of extraction and domination.
The second part—“the peoples believe less and less in statements and promises”—reflects growing popular disillusionment with political rhetoric, international institutions, and reform agendas that fail to address real material conditions. It points to a crisis of legitimacy, where words are no longer trusted because they do not translate into justice or change. For Castro, this erosion of trust is not cynicism, but a rational response to decades of betrayal and unfulfilled pledges, particularly by powerful nations and global financial bodies.
In today’s context, the quote remains relevant amid widening inequality, climate inaction, and distrust in global governance. Movements around the world—from anti-austerity protests to climate justice campaigns—echo Castro’s view that promises without systemic change are hollow. His words challenge us to look beyond surface-level commitments and to confront the underlying structures that perpetuate poverty and disempowerment on a global scale.
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