George Monbiot Quotes

For a quarter-century, and changing only very recently, the main IMF prescription has been budgetary belt-tightening for patients much too poor to own belts. IMF led austerity has frequently resulted in riots, coups, and the collapse of public services.

The vast concourse of people who had assembled to witness the triumphant arrival of the successful travellers was of the lowest orders of mechanics and artisans, among whom great distress and a dangerous spirit of discontent with the government at that time prevailed.

How miserable that man is that Governes a People where six parts of seven at least are Poor, Endebted Discontented and Armed.

People without jobs cannot be expected to behave in a lawful, measured way.

When I graduated from high school, it was during the Depression and we had no money.

People might not protest for overtly political or social causes, but when they can't feed themselves and their family, they will take to the streets.

My country is in the grips of a major economic crisis. This is causing dramatic consequences for the very existence of Polish families. A permanent economic crisis in Poland may also have serious repercussions for Europe. Thus, Poland ought to be helped and deserves help.

People saw the Depression as a necessary thing - a chance to squeeze out the excesses, get back to Puritan morality. That just made things worse.

I've always found it very sanitary to be broke.

Poverty is the parent of revolution.

Halve the income of the country and you double the risk of civil war.

Go to the streets and ask for work. If they don’t give you work, ask for bread. If they don’t give you bread, then take it.

Poverty is a corrosive brew, capable of eating away at the underpinnings of democratic life itself.

Where and when have riots and anarchy been provoked by wise measures? If the government had acted wisely, and if their measures had met the needs of the poor peasants, would there have been unrest among the peasant masses?

Austerity is a disaster for everyone but the rich…. It’s crap, but it’s dangerous crap..

Europe's younger generation has only experienced austerity.

Poverty leads to protests.

Until people realise benefits doesn't mean scrounger, and austerity isn't a fun middle-class way to grow your own vegetables, there's still a lot of work to do.

What hurts me most is poverty, and that's what led me to become a rebel.

We used to be one of the richest countries in the world, but we are now on a path towards under-development. This austerity that has been imposed on the people doesn't work. The people will not allow themselves to be throttled without revolting.

To see so much misery everywhere, I suspect that God is not rich. He keeps up appearances, it is true, but I feel the pinch. He gives a revolution as a merchant, whose credit is low, gives a ball.

Shame is no comrade for the poor, I weet.

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, . . . neither persons nor property will be safe.

Poverty devastates families, communities and nations. It causes instability and political unrest and fuels conflict.

Poverty is never dishonourable in itself, but only when it is a mark of sloth, intemperance, extravagance, or thoughtlessness. When, on the other hand, it is the handmaid of a sober, industrious, righteous, and brave man, who devotes all his powers to the service of the people, it is the sign of a lofty spirit that harbours no mean thoughts