Eat the Rich

A sign that says "Eat the Rich" at a May Day protest in New York City, 2017

Eat the Rich is a phrase. Attributed to French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau The direct phrase in his original language is: "Quand les pauvres n'auront plus rien à manger, ils mangeront les riches!" (When the poor have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich!).

This saying is used by people who are anti-capitalist to show their disapproval of Capitalism whos wealth is built on the exploitation of the people - literally to starvation. It is a warning to the rich who would build their wealth at the expense of everyone else, as the poor will unite in arms to take their heads ("eat" here not being used literally to mean cannibalism). Today it is a battlecry or slogan to rally the working class against those that would exploit them. This phrase was used more at the beginning of the 21st century because of increasing income inequality.

Pop culture

The phrase Eat the Rich is used in pop culture. It expresses rebellion against the wealthy and powerful.