Excerpt from Giant Business: Threat to Democracy

“The big corporations have unwittingly created a revolution in our economy which has led to big government and big taxes, which has taxed substantially out of business the competitive pressures which might otherwise be depended upon to prevent the spread of monopolies and cartels. Either the giant corporations will continue to expand, develop new industries and become bigger economic empires, leading inevitably to some form of corporate state; or on the other hand, small businesses and enterprises must be fostered and favored to grow up to the point where they can offer competition to the further growth of the monsters. And the key to the situation undoubtedly rests in the manipulation of taxes. Whether the communists are defeated in war or whether we reach an armed truce or permanent peace, the trend toward socialism will continue full speed ahead until there is some radical reversal of present tax policies.” (@129)

“It is in the advertising and financial costs and not in the manufacturing costs of consumer goods that we find disparities in favor of the huge companies. Without any exception, in my experience the manufacturing costs of the smaller companies, beyond a reasonable operating minimum, are less. The tool and die costs on the small number of units are the same or somewhat less; the overhead costs are, invariably, substantially less and the sales manpower costs are less; but raw material and advertising costs are substantially less per unit for the giant companies, because of the larger volume. The production cost differences favor the smaller producers; and when their volume reaches a point where they may be classed as medium-sized producers in any field, and can get capital and afford advertising, their total costs are less.” (@167)

“Centralization itself is basically evil because it is essentially inhuman. It overwhelms the individual and undertakes by remote regulation to control human situations which it never sees, feels, or under­stands. Something of strength and character which is vital to him as a self-reliant, free man is taken from him.” (@296)

“Democracies generally perish from internal economic causes. They grow and flourish when wealth (power) is diffused among great numbers of people and die when wealth becomes concentrated in a few hands.” (@315)