Capitalism, For and Against: A Feminist Debate

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.

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.

About the Author :
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 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).

Review :
'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