Is Capitalism Good for Women?

Abstract

This paper investigates an aspect of the question of whether capitalism can be defended as a morally legitimate economic system by asking whether capitalism serves progressive, feminist ends of freedom and gender equality. I argue that although capitalism is subject to critique for increasing economic inequality, it can be seen to decrease gender inequality, particularly in traditional societies. Capitalism brings technological and social innovations that are good for women, and disrupts traditions that subordinate women in materially beneficial and socially progressive ways. Capitalism upholds the ideology of individual rights and the ideal of mutual advantage. By institutionalizing mutual advantage through the logic of voluntary exchange, progressive capitalism promotes the idea that no one is to be expected to sacrifice their interests with no expectation of benefit. Thus capitalism opposes the traditional, sexist ideal of womanly self-sacrifice.

Millennials' preference of hedonic value over utilitarian value: Evidence from a developing country

“…In case of intense competition, this system can truly excel and be superior compared to all other economic systems (Hedrick‐Wong, 2019). However, capitalism is under pressure as it has received several criticisms for environmental issues, loss of employment, increased economic inequality, enriching a small group of elites, maximizing shareholder value and concerns about human trafficking (Cudd, 2015 Nooyi & Govindarajan, 2020; Hedrick‐Wong, 2019). We understand that no economic system is free from criticism.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility and Women’s Entrepreneurship: Towards a More Adequate Theory of “Work”

“…Gender represents a fundamental feature of social arrangements, impacting on the full range of institutions to which CSR scholarship seeks to be attentive (Marshall, 2007). Nevertheless, while gender concerns did not form a principal feature of the study—or practice—of earlier work on CSR (Barrientos, Dolan, & Tallontire, 2003; Coleman, 2002; Grosser & Moon, 2005b; Thompson, 2008) more recently, scholarship on CSR and gender has been increasing within CSR-related literatures (Cudd, 2015, Grosser, 2016; Karam & Jamali, 2013, Karam & Jamali, 2015; Kilgour, 2012; Marshall, 2007; Pearson, 2007; Prieto-Carrón, 2008; Prugl, 2015; Said-Allsopp & Tallontire, 2014). For example, work by Karam and Jamali (2013) posits the potential of CSR to contribute to “positive developmental change supporting women” both in the Middle East and in “developing countries” more generally (Karam & Jamali, 2015: 32).…”

“…Analysis of this CSR phenomenon opens important possibilities for theoretical consideration of the interface between gender and business. Because CSR activities have significant potential consequences for political and institutional arrangements (Hahn, 2012;Hahn, Figge, Pinkse, & Preuss, 2010;Scherer & Palazzo, 2007), there is a need to be theoretically attentive to the ways in which these activities may reinforce or challenge extant areas of inequality, particularly as CSR establishes closer engagement with variegated aspects of gender in society (Cudd, 2015;Karam & Jamali, 2013;Prugl 2015).…”

‘A shelter is not a home’: Voices of homeless women in the City of Tshwane

“…On the other hand, cultural feminists believe that women experience inequality and poverty due to the suppression in society of distinctive female qualities, experiences and values (Vincent & Braun, 2013). According to socialist feminism, which incorporates both Marxist and radical feminist perspectives, gender equality requires the elimination of both patriarchy and capitalism in a society (Cudd, 2015). Yet another strand of feminism is Afrocentric feminism, which, like multicultural feminism, believes that reality is mediated by social, political, economic and cultural factors.…”