E. P. Thompson quotes

E. P. Thompson was a British historian, writer, and social critic renowned for his work on the history of the working class. His influential book "The Making of the English Working Class" redefined social history and remains a key text in the field. He became a prominent intellectual figure and an advocate for peace and social justice. Here are 11 of his quotes:

I think you will find scientists that think like you in Germany and Britain, and you will find politicians that think like Weinberger. I think the most bellicose ruling group in the Western world at the moment is the British. (E. P. Thompson)

I think that the U.S. does have this very much more open attitude, and I admire it very much and I think it's very important to the world. But the information and the discussion sometimes come too late, after the effective decision has been made.

E. P. Thompson

The talk about balance, nuclear balance, seems to me to be metaphysical and doesn't seem to be real at all.

E. P. Thompson

The missiles come first, and the justifications come second.

E. P. Thompson

The readings of Soviet society are as many as the experts you speak to. In my view, it's a society that is overdue for measures of democratization and organization.

E. P. Thompson

I will hear no talk that there are no intermediate-range weapons on the NATO side.

E. P. Thompson

There are no European voices at Geneva, there are no European voices at START.

E. P. Thompson

Could I interrupt here, because there is an alternative explanation, which you are particularly well placed to examine. You know the argument that it is the alchemists in the laboratories who invent the sweet new kits.

E. P. Thompson

For two decades the state has been taking liberties, and these liberties were once ours.

E. P. Thompson

I don't care tuppence whether I'm forced into a leadership position or not. I'd much sooner not.

E. P. Thompson

I have become a prisoner of the peace movement. But you can't say that the termination is coming and then say that you are going back to your own garden to dig. (E. P. Thompson)

E. P. Thompson

E. P. Thompson - Image

Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 4.0

Occupation: British Historian
Born: February 3, 1924
Died: August 28, 1993
Quotes count: 11

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