“I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating… because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
table of contents
Quote
“I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating… because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition.”
Explanation
This quote conveys Fidel Castro’s visceral and ideological rejection of capitalism, painting it not just as an economic system, but as a morally corrosive force. By calling it “repugnant,” “filthy,” “gross,” and “alienating,” Castro emphasizes his belief that capitalism dehumanizes individuals and prioritizes profit over people. The ellipsis in the quote intensifies the emotional tone, leading to a final condemnation: capitalism is responsible for “war, hypocrisy and competition.”
Historically, Castro viewed capitalism—particularly in its imperialist and neoliberal forms—as the root cause of global inequality, colonialism, and armed conflict. For him, competition was not a driver of innovation, but a mechanism of exclusion and greed. Hypocrisy emerged from capitalist states claiming moral superiority while exploiting weaker nations, and war was often waged to protect capital and markets, not to defend freedom or justice.
In the modern context, the quote challenges prevailing narratives that celebrate market efficiency or economic growth without addressing their social and ethical consequences. Castro’s critique invites reflection on the costs of a system that normalizes inequality, commodifies human needs, and links progress to consumption and conflict. His words remain a sharp reminder that economic models must be judged not just by productivity, but by the human values they promote or erode.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
