Eat the Rich (book)
Encyclopedia
Eat the Rich is a 1998 book by P. J. O'Rourke
which explains economics
in a humorous way. Its chapters include Good Capitalism
(United States
), Bad Capitalism (Albania
), Good socialism
(Sweden
), Bad socialism (Cuba
), and an intermission on "Economics 101
", teaching facts that your economics professor didn't tell you, including the "ten less basic rules of economics
". Subsequent chapters are on How to make everything out of nothing (Hong Kong
), How to make nothing out of everything (Tanzania
), How (or how not) to reform (maybe) an economy (if there is one) (Russia
) and Eat the rich, the last an encomium
to capitalism
— "the worst economic system anyone ever invented, except for all the others".
O'Rourke uses wit and an entire lack of mathematics (except in rare glances for parody) to claim that economics is something we all do every day, and only economists seem to find it difficult. He states, for example, that he has read The Wealth of Nations
without finding any mathematics in it at all.
In the introduction, O'Rourke admits that he stole the title from the Motörhead song, "Eat the Rich
", but that actually the phrase has been in existence for centuries.
P. J. O'Rourke
Patrick Jake "P. J." O'Rourke is an American political satirist, journalist, writer, and author. O'Rourke is the H. L. Mencken Research Fellow at the Cato Institute and is a regular correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, The American Spectator, and The Weekly Standard, and frequent panelist on...
which explains economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
in a humorous way. Its chapters include Good Capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
(United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), Bad Capitalism (Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
), Good socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
(Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
), Bad socialism (Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
), and an intermission on "Economics 101
101 (term)
The term 101 often indicates an introductory level of learning.- Origin :The term originates from use in american university course numbering systems, designed to make transfer between colleges easier...
", teaching facts that your economics professor didn't tell you, including the "ten less basic rules of economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
". Subsequent chapters are on How to make everything out of nothing (Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
), How to make nothing out of everything (Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
), How (or how not) to reform (maybe) an economy (if there is one) (Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) and Eat the rich, the last an encomium
Encomium
Encomium is a Latin word deriving from the Classical Greek ἐγκώμιον meaning the praise of a person or thing. "Encomium" also refers to several distinct aspects of rhetoric:* A general category of oratory* A method within rhetorical pedagogy...
to capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
— "the worst economic system anyone ever invented, except for all the others".
O'Rourke uses wit and an entire lack of mathematics (except in rare glances for parody) to claim that economics is something we all do every day, and only economists seem to find it difficult. He states, for example, that he has read The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, generally referred to by its shortened title The Wealth of Nations, is the magnum opus of the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith...
without finding any mathematics in it at all.
In the introduction, O'Rourke admits that he stole the title from the Motörhead song, "Eat the Rich
Eat the Rich (Motörhead song)
"Eat the Rich" is a song by the heavy metal band Motörhead. It was released as a single in 1987, in 7" and 12" vinyl pressings. Both formats featured the b-side "Cradle to the Grave", and the 12" also included "Just 'Cos You Got the Power"....
", but that actually the phrase has been in existence for centuries.
External links
- Podcast of PJ O'Rourke talking about Eat the Rich on the BBC's World Book ClubWorld Book ClubWorld Book Club is a radio programme on the BBC World Service. Each edition of the programme, which is broadcast on the first Saturday of the month with repeats into the following Monday, features a famous author discussing one of his or her books, often the most well-known one, with the public...