The French thinker Jean-Paul Sartre was more than just a philosopher. He was a writer and political activist widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th century existentialism and thought. His words often resonated with people and transcended geographical space and time.
In LiveMint’s Quote of the Day, we focus on one of Sartre’s most popular quotes: “When the rich make war, the poor die.”
What does this mean?
The quote basically captures the brutal truth of the conflict that stretches across countries and continents. It simply means that while wars are often invented or decided in the halls of power by the rich, those who fight or pay for them are the poor or those with the least power to resist them.
Wars are always declared by the rich or people in power. They are initiated by governments and shaped by political ambitions, economic interests, territorial disputes or even ideological rivalries. The idea is usually discussed in parliaments and presidential offices, where only a handful of people sit. These decisions to go to war are negotiated through diplomatic backchannels and are often justified by motivational speeches about national security and the country’s interests. But once the war starts, the people who end up paying the price are ordinary families who send their sons to the front lines. There is little or no evidence of a farmer, factory worker or street vendor calling for war.
Sartre’s quote has transcended time and is more relevant than ever, as Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, yet everyone sitting in their plush offices is still safe and continues to follow orders, while those on the battlefield continue to either defend themselves or ultimately risk their lives for the safety of their nation.
History offers a stark reminder. During the First World War, millions of working-class soldiers filled the trenches of Europe and ended up in unimaginable conditions as empires battled for supremacy. Similarly, in World War II, civilians bore the brunt of bombing, famine, and displacement. Entire cities were reduced to mere rubble, and only the poorest had the least means to escape or rebuild.
Similarly, conflicts in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan have also shown how prolonged war can devastate local populations and leave broken societies after the leaders have moved away.
The costs of such wars are measured not only in battlefield casualties, but also in broken schools, overwhelmed hospitals and broken infrastructure. While for the rich and powerful, war can sometimes mean contracts, influence and strategic advantage over another country, for the poor it often means generational trauma and displacement.
To make matters worse, economic inequality widens this gap. Those with resources and money can afford to start over and be saved from the imminent danger of war because they can choose to resettle. However, economically vulnerable communities often end up with little or no means to rebuild their lives and start over in the face of adversity.
