Ann E. Cudd, Nancy Holmstrom - Capitalism, For And Against_ A Feminist Debate
(2011, Cambridge University Press) - libgen.li - Read book online for free.
Capitalism, for and Against: A Feminist Debate
by
Ann E. Cudd,
Nancy Holmstrom
4.29 · Rating details · 7 ratings · 2 reviews
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. (less)
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Paperback, 362 pages
Published March 1st 2011 by Cambridge University Press (first published January 1st 2010)
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Table of Contents
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.
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Authors
Ann E. Cudd, University of Kansas
Ann E. Cudd is Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean for Humanities, University of Kansas. She is the author of Analyzing Oppression (2006), and co-edited (with Anita Superson) Theorizing Backlash (2002) and (with Robin Andreason) Feminist Theory (2005).
Nancy Holmstrom, Rutgers University, New Jersey
Nancy Holmstrom is Professor Emerita and former Chair of Philosophy at Rutgers University, Newark. She is the author of numerous articles on core topics in social philosophy and the editor of The Socialist Feminist Project: A Contemporary Reader in Theory and Politics (2002).
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Courses
Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Globalization and Gender
- Intro to Philosophy & Social Justice
- Liberalism and Its Critics
- Topics in Moral and Political Philosophy
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Jan 21, 2021Haiyan Celeste rated it it was ok
a lot of arguments i disagree with... neither does the author manage to persuade me. The dichotomy of capitalism and patriarchy... the nuanced differences of different definitions... The author does not distinguish them but just use them as unifying and monolithic ones, which is highly problematic to me.
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Nov 22, 2017Paul Crider rated it it was amazing
Shelves: ethics, feminism, miscellaneous-non-fiction, philosophy, social-science, liberalism
Ann Cudd defends capitalism with all the vigor of a college libertarian, but with none of the bullshit or magical thinking. Her defense takes two stages: capitalism as it has existed in history and as it exists now is imperfect, but is clearly superior to both its antecedents and contemporary alternatives. This superiority is broad and multifaceted. The economic growth facilitated by capitalism creates the conditions for flourishing, increasing not only wealth, but also health, opportunity, and other aspects of lives well-lived not captured well by economic figures alone. Such improvements come not only from the innovations of the market, but from public health policies, environmental measures, and social safety nets demanded by citizens economically secure enough to worry about such things.
Cudd argues that the various failures of capitalist countries can usually be attributed to historical injustices that aren't entailed by the logic of capitalism. Patriarchy and racism, for instance, transmit their effects *through* capitalism, but they aren't necessary for capitalism to function. Indeed, capitalism would be much improved if sexism and racism were defeated. Capitalism is historically entwined with colonialism, but capitalism can (and must!) be decolonized. An "enlightened capitalism" can keep the liberating benefits of economic growth while moderating the unevenness of those benefits with social safety nets, regulations to internalize environmental costs, and policies to counter historical oppression, etc.
For women specifically, capitalism opens opportunities for avoiding traditional confining roles. Economic opportunities in the market not only give women a greater bargaining position and threat of exit from oppressive circumstances, but also introduce a greater variety of ways of living. More prosaically, capitalism and economic growth have decreased infant mortality and enabled a shift to fewer children per woman, a large and direct benefit to women, who have historically been chained to their wombs and suffered the significant risks of repeated childbearing.
Nancy Holmstrom's contribution falls flat against Cudd. She mounts a critical case against capitalism, including several valid observations about real injustices. But she fails to acknowledge any relevant basis of comparison. And her vision for a just society doesn't seem remotely plausible given the world as it is. To her credit, she does allow that capitalism has given us the economic growth and innovation that has mad the modern world possible, arguing that while capitalism was once necessary, it has outlived its usefulness. But this leaves her in a precarious position, as she offers no compelling arguments for why the same growth, innovation, and consequent advances in human well-being that capitalism has historically fostered can't simply continue to make life better, with some reasonable corrections for gross injustices. (less)
Jan 21, 2021Haiyan Celeste rated it it was ok
a lot of arguments i disagree with... neither does the author manage to persuade me. The dichotomy of capitalism and patriarchy... the nuanced differences of different definitions... The author does not distinguish them but just use them as unifying and monolithic ones, which is highly problematic to me.
flagLike · comment · see review
Nov 22, 2017Paul Crider rated it it was amazing
Shelves: ethics, feminism, miscellaneous-non-fiction, philosophy, social-science, liberalism
Ann Cudd defends capitalism with all the vigor of a college libertarian, but with none of the bullshit or magical thinking. Her defense takes two stages: capitalism as it has existed in history and as it exists now is imperfect, but is clearly superior to both its antecedents and contemporary alternatives. This superiority is broad and multifaceted. The economic growth facilitated by capitalism creates the conditions for flourishing, increasing not only wealth, but also health, opportunity, and other aspects of lives well-lived not captured well by economic figures alone. Such improvements come not only from the innovations of the market, but from public health policies, environmental measures, and social safety nets demanded by citizens economically secure enough to worry about such things.
Cudd argues that the various failures of capitalist countries can usually be attributed to historical injustices that aren't entailed by the logic of capitalism. Patriarchy and racism, for instance, transmit their effects *through* capitalism, but they aren't necessary for capitalism to function. Indeed, capitalism would be much improved if sexism and racism were defeated. Capitalism is historically entwined with colonialism, but capitalism can (and must!) be decolonized. An "enlightened capitalism" can keep the liberating benefits of economic growth while moderating the unevenness of those benefits with social safety nets, regulations to internalize environmental costs, and policies to counter historical oppression, etc.
For women specifically, capitalism opens opportunities for avoiding traditional confining roles. Economic opportunities in the market not only give women a greater bargaining position and threat of exit from oppressive circumstances, but also introduce a greater variety of ways of living. More prosaically, capitalism and economic growth have decreased infant mortality and enabled a shift to fewer children per woman, a large and direct benefit to women, who have historically been chained to their wombs and suffered the significant risks of repeated childbearing.
Nancy Holmstrom's contribution falls flat against Cudd. She mounts a critical case against capitalism, including several valid observations about real injustices. But she fails to acknowledge any relevant basis of comparison. And her vision for a just society doesn't seem remotely plausible given the world as it is. To her credit, she does allow that capitalism has given us the economic growth and innovation that has mad the modern world possible, arguing that while capitalism was once necessary, it has outlived its usefulness. But this leaves her in a precarious position, as she offers no compelling arguments for why the same growth, innovation, and consequent advances in human well-being that capitalism has historically fostered can't simply continue to make life better, with some reasonable corrections for gross injustices. (less)
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Reviews & endorsements
'The staged debate between Cudd and Holstrom will be of particular interest to philosophically minded readers already generally familiar with the terrain. Most readers will begin their reading already having taken a side, but Cudd and Holstrom both make such convincing arguments, that generous and open readers will find in the debates a chance to revisit their own settled opinions. Their book is a gift in a political and academic climate where critical thinking often takes a back seat to ideological stances.' Marx and Philosophy Review of Books
'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
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Top reviews from the United States
Paul E CriderTop Contributor: Philosophy
5.0 out of 5 stars A productive debate between nuanced participants
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
Ann Cudd defends capitalism with all the vigor of a college libertarian, but with none of the magical thinking. Her defense takes two stages: capitalism as it has existed in history and as it exists now is imperfect, but is clearly superior to both its antecedents and contemporary alternatives. This superiority is broad and multifaceted. The economic growth facilitated by capitalism creates the conditions for flourishing, increasing not only wealth, but also health, opportunity, and other aspects of lives well-lived not captured well by economic figures alone. Such improvements come not only from the innovations of the market, but from public health policies, environmental measures, and social safety nets demanded by citizens economically secure enough to worry about such things.
Cudd argues that the various failures of capitalist countries can usually be attributed to historical injustices that aren't entailed by the logic of capitalism. Patriarchy and racism, for instance, transmit their effects *through* capitalism, but they aren't necessary for capitalism to function. Indeed, capitalism would be much improved if sexism and racism were defeated. Capitalism is historically entwined with colonialism, but capitalism can (and must!) be decolonized. An "enlightened capitalism" can keep the liberating benefits of economic growth while moderating the unevenness of those benefits with social safety nets, regulations to internalize environmental costs, and policies to counter historical oppression, etc.
For women specifically, capitalism opens opportunities for avoiding traditional confining roles. Economic opportunities in the market not only give women a greater bargaining position and threat of exit from oppressive circumstances, but also introduce a greater variety of ways of living. More prosaically, capitalism and economic growth have decreased infant mortality and enabled a shift to fewer children per woman, a large and direct benefit to women, who have historically been chained to their wombs and suffered the significant risks of repeated childbearing.
Nancy Holmstrom's contribution falls flat against Cudd. She mounts a critical case against capitalism, including several valid observations about real injustices. But she fails to acknowledge any relevant basis of comparison. And her vision for a just society doesn't seem remotely plausible given the world as it is. To her credit, she does allow that capitalism has given us the economic growth and innovation that has mad the modern world possible, arguing that while capitalism was once necessary, it has outlived its usefulness. But this leaves her in a precarious position, as she offers no compelling arguments for why the same growth, innovation, and consequent advances in human well-being that capitalism has historically fostered can't simply continue to make life better, with some reasonable corrections for gross injustices.
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Dr. Michael A. Rinella
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Debate
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
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This is a good debate, suitable for upper level undergraduates and above. I will be employing this text in a course called Capitalism and Its Impact. A good followup to this work would be Vadana Shiva's book Earth Democracy.
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Aelj
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018
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Very text book and didn’t stick to the point
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