# Capital strike Capital threatening a state by for example witholding its business. Used to pressure the state into doing what the business wants, i.e. something that's probably bad for the people but good for profits. > The idea of a “capital strike” has been around forever. It’s the obvious complement to the labor strike: just as workers can shut down production by refusing to come to work, capital can shut down the economy by refusing to invest and hire workers > > – [The Right’s Favorite Strike](https://www.jacobinmag.com/2011/09/the-rights-favorite-strike/) > The capital strike threat prevents policymakers from seriously considering many popular and sensible reforms. > > – [When Capitalists Go on Strike](https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/02/capital-strike-regulations-lending-productivity-economy-banks-bailout)