The Right to Be Lazy & Other Studies by Paul Lafargue is a provocative critique of the capitalist work ethic and a defense of leisure as essential to human liberation. Lafargue, a Marxist theorist and son-in-law of Karl Marx, argues that the obsession with productivity and overwork is not a virtue but a form of oppression imposed by capitalism.

In the titular essay, Lafargue dismantles the glorification of labor and the "right to work," showing how they serve to perpetuate exploitation and alienation. He contrasts this with the need for leisure, creativity, and enjoyment, which capitalism suppresses by prioritizing profit over human well-being. Lafargue advocates for reduced working hours, communal ownership of production, and a society where technological advancements are used to liberate people from toil rather than deepen their exploitation.

The collection also includes essays that explore themes like social inequality, class struggle, and the contradictions of capitalist systems. Lafargue's biting wit and utopian vision make the work both a sharp critique of industrial society and a call to reimagine human purpose beyond endless labor. His ideas challenge readers to question whether the pursuit of work serves humanity—or enslaves it.