新概念英语第四册43-04

接下来课文...No surplus of accumulated purchasing power stands between him and the tyrannies of unfriendly natur or of the equally unfriendly wielders of political and economic power. ...

tyranny n. : 残暴

political and economic power=countries

wielders : 统治者

此句话的意思可表示为：It is impossible for him/for individual to get anything under the ruthless nature and the merciless government.

power: 国家 America is a superpower. 美国是超级大国。

接下来课文...Democracy is, among other things, the ability to say 'no' to the boss. But a man cannot say 'no' to the boss, unless he is sure of being able to eat when the boss's favour has been withdrawn. ...

among other things =above all : 首要 表示强调说法

democracy: to build a government of the people, by the people and for the people. (Lincoln)

(要建立一个民有、民治、民享的政府) -林肯