Rentier capitalism describes the economic practice of gaining large profits without contributing to society. A rentier is someone who earns income from capital without working. This is generally done through ownership of assets that generate yield (cash generated by assets), such as rental properties, shares in dividend paying companies, or bonds that pay interest.

Modern economists agree that the power dynamics of the rentier-tenant relationship are oppressive, but capitalist theories such as the natural "euthanasia of the rentier" famously put forth by John Maynard Keynes have been abandoned in light of the increase in rent-seeking behavior seen over the past century. Economist Guy Standing expects that a revolt against rentier capitalism has to come from the precariat, as the proletariat is too wedded to forms of social democracy to lead a revolt.