Capitalism, For and Against
A Feminist Debate

Debates both sides of the issue of whether capitalism is valuable as an ideal for women.

Ann E. Cudd (Author), Nancy Holmstrom (Author)

9780521132114, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 January 2011

362 pages
22.6 x 15 x 2 cm, 0.56 kg

'Cudd and Holmstrom grapple with the issue of whether capitalism and women's interests can coincide … an interesting book written by two splendid analytical minds with a great passion for women's rights … this volume will be of critical interest to anyone studying feminist political philosophy. It will be an invaluable introduction for students of gender studies, sociology, politics, and political economy.' Philosophy in Review

Political philosophy and feminist theory have rarely examined in detail how capitalism affects the lives of women. Ann Cudd and Nancy Holmstrom take up opposing sides of the issue, debating whether capitalism is valuable as an ideal and whether as an actually existing economic system it is good for women. In a discussion covering a broad range of social and economic issues, including unequal pay, industrial reforms and sweatshops, they examine how these and other issues relate to women and how effectively to analyze what constitutes 'capitalism' and 'women's interests'. Each author also responds to the opposing arguments, providing a thorough debate of the topics covered. The resulting volume will interest a wide range of readers in philosophy, political theory, women's studies and global affairs.

Acknowledgements
Part I. For Capitalism as a Feminist Ideal and Reality Ann Cudd: 1. Introduction
2. The empirical case for capitalism as an actually existing system
3. The theoretical explanation of capitalism's success
4. Feminist critiques of capitalism
5. Fetishism
6. Enlightened capitalism: a feminist capitalist manifesto
Part II. Against Capitalism as Theory and as Reality Nancy Holmstrom: 7. Introduction
8. Capitalism in theory: ideals and limits
9. Capitalism in reality
10. Human interests are women's interests
11. Conclusion. What is the alternative and what should feminists do now?
Part III. Responses: 12. Ann Cudd's reply to Nancy Holmstrom
13. Nancy Holmstrom's reply to Ann Cudd.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Gender studies: women [JFSJ1], Feminism & feminist theory [JFFK], Social & political philosophy [HPS]