Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Saul Alinsky Quote “A free and open society is an ongoing conflict, interrupted periodically by compromises.” ~ Saul Alinsky (1909-1972)Rules for Radicals, 1971 Capitalism , Civilization , Communism , Democracy , Fascism , Independence , Politics , Power , Republic , Respect , Socialism , Society , War Ratings and Comments Reply P.M. 5/3/05 Reply No One of Consequence 10/20/08 The last thing we need is "wisdom" from the likes of Saul Alinsky. Reply Frickin' Dragon 11/25/08 Call Of Duty: World at War is awesome!!! Reply Jim 2/16/09 Radicals have rules? Reply danny richards, Saint Louis 4/2/10 It sounds like this guy Saul was a true believer in the rights and freedoms of man and society in general. From what little I have read so far, he must have been great friends with another wonderful contemporary mind, Emma Goldman. Why these believers in the common man are so easily confused with extreme elements such as Communism, I don't understand. It causes me to think that too many people think in terms of black and white, when the world is actually so very, very grey. The "ongoing conflict" forever seeking compromise that Alinsky refers to is forever so intrinsic to our culture .... who could not see it and embrace it. Reply Nathan, Lubbock 5/25/10 Danny, from St Louis... You show your ignorance with your statements. From pg 10 of Alinsky's book, "Rules for Radicals..." "A Marxist begins with his prime truth that all evils are caused by the exploitation of the proletariat by the capitalists. From this he logically proceeds to the revolution to end capitalism, then into the third stage of reorganization into a new social order of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and finally the last stage -- the political paradise of communism." Maybe do some homework before coming out of your mom's basement again, ok? Reply Anonymous 6/13/10 Seriously? Reply Golden Rule, Anywhere USA 7/5/10 Reply :), destin 10/16/12 Reply SirDiesAlot, Old Forge PA 12/28/15 In a free and open society the compromises are constant not occasional as Alinsky suggests. His words are chosen for effect not literal truth. They are meant as propaganda to incite people. When individuals make compromises, lets call them choices, they are executed at the individual's discretion and as such are processed by many more brains. I liken it to the distributed computing model. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Saul Alinsky quote is found in these categories: Capitalism quotes Civilization quotes Communism quotes Democracy quotes Fascism quotes Independence quotes Politics quotes Power quotes Republic quotes Respect quotes Socialism quotes Society quotes War quotes About Saul Alinsky Bio of Saul Alinsky Quotations by Saul Alinsky Books by/about Saul Alinsky Saul Alinsky videos Saul Alinsky on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Saul Alinsky