Capitalist Pyramid (with CrimethInc), 2011

This illustration was done in collaboration with CrimethInc. It modernizes the Pyramid of the Capitalist System cartoon. Here is more on that from Wikipedia:

The Pyramid of Capitalist System is a common name of a 1911 American cartoon caricature critical of capitalism, closely based on a Russian flyer of c. 1901.[1] The graphic focus is on social stratification by social class and economic inequality.[2][3] The work has been described as “famous”,[4] “well-known and widely reproduced”.[2] A number of derivative works exist.[5][original research?]

It was published in the 1911 edition of Industrial Worker (The International Publishing Co., ClevelandOhio, U.S.), a newspaper of the Industrial Workers of the World, and attributed to “Nedeljkovich, Brashich, & Kuharich”.[6][7][3]

The picture shows a literal “social pyramid” or hierarchy, with the wealthy few on the top, and the impoverished masses at the bottom. Crowned with a money bag representing capitalism, the top layer, “we rule you”, is occupied by the royalty and state leaders. Underneath them are the clergy (“we fool you”), followed by the military (“we shoot at you”), and the bourgeoisie (“we eat for you”). The bottom of the pyramid is held by the workers (“we work for all… we feed all”).[4][8][3][2]

It is a poster and book art. Still available from CrimethInc

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