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Is capitalism structurally indifferent to gender?: Routes to a value theory of reproductive labour

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  • Andreas Bieler

    (School of Politics and International Relations, 6123University of Nottingham, UK)

  • Adam David Morton

    (Department of Political Economy, 4334University of Sydney, Australia)

Abstract

The contributions of Ellen Meiksins Wood to social property relations arguments have facilitated an enhanced understanding of the historical specificity of capitalism and its structuring conditions. Yet such arguments also have some questionable assumptions when it comes to theorising gender and so-called ‘extra-economic’ identities, most noticeably regarding capitalism as indifferent to gender relations. This article delves into such issues by delivering a set of quandaries about various aspects of the social property relations approach and its relevance to wider debates on economy and space. We contend that debates in Marxism Feminism and social reproduction theory therein should be elevated to centre stage in considerations of political economy and economic geography. Consequently, it is possible to dispense with the notion that capitalism is structurally indifferent to gender, which mars the social property relations approach. At the same time, however, there are tensions within Marxism Feminism, not least revolving around questions of value, the role of unpaid labour in the household, and wider theorising on the relationship between ‘market’ conditions and extra-economic relations of ‘state’ power. We explore two major contending routes to what we call a value theory of reproductive labour within Marxism Feminism and conclude that this reconnaissance provides an opportunity to initiate enhanced discussion on future political struggles against capital's requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Bieler & Adam David Morton, 2021. "Is capitalism structurally indifferent to gender?: Routes to a value theory of reproductive labour ," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(7), pages 1749-1769, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:53:y:2021:i:7:p:1749-1769
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X211031572
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa Tilley & Robbie Shilliam, 2018. "Raced Markets: An Introduction," New Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(5), pages 534-543, September.
    2. Michael A. Lebowitz, 1992. "Beyond Political Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Beyond Capital, chapter 8, pages 141-157, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristin S. Williams, 2024. "Elizabeth Gaskell: An overlooked political economist and proto theorist in the field of industrial relations," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 576-593, March.

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