Well, corrupt third-world countries do live like that and it rarely comes to full-blown riots, usually only when there is little to eat. There doesn't need to be an open confrontation.
But you're right in that the poor are still part of the workforce, hence they do wield power, even if poorly organized. This might be not for long.
There is an interesting case of Russia which is populated by 142 million people, while the ruling elites only have a need for maybe 10% of that number to maintain their natural gas and oil revenue (plus the nukes to defend the same). It might be worth paying attention to as a model of what's to come.
But you're right in that the poor are still part of the workforce, hence they do wield power, even if poorly organized. This might be not for long.
There is an interesting case of Russia which is populated by 142 million people, while the ruling elites only have a need for maybe 10% of that number to maintain their natural gas and oil revenue (plus the nukes to defend the same). It might be worth paying attention to as a model of what's to come.