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Health under capitalism: a global political economy of structural pathogenesis

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  • Susan K. Sell
  • Owain D. Williams

Abstract

This introduction to the special issue aims to conceptualize the structural and super-structural relations between global capitalism and health, incorporating both historical and contemporary capitalism. Capitalism is an all-encompassing global phenomenon that interacts with health at multiple scales and via a range of ‘vectors’ that analysts must engage, examine and understand. We highlight some of the key structural and institutional conditions that shape global health outcomes. Deep and underlying structural effects of capitalism on health are evident at multiple scales and underpin new health challenges of the twenty-first century. At present, macro political economy – neoliberalism and market fundamentalism – profoundly shape governance of global health through regimes and institutions in areas such as trade and investment policy, austerity programs, pharmaceutical and food governance, and the rules that support globalized production and consumption. We develop an account of capitalism in which this overarching global system generates health outcomes like no other system, viewing it as structurally pathogenic with negative impacts on human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan K. Sell & Owain D. Williams, 2020. "Health under capitalism: a global political economy of structural pathogenesis," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rripxx:v:27:y:2020:i:1:p:1-25
    DOI: 10.1080/09692290.2019.1659842
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    Cited by:

    1. Perry, Teresa & Bernasek, Alexandra, 2024. "Profits over care? An analysis of the relationship between corporate capitalism in the healthcare industry and cancer mortality in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    2. Flynn, Matthew B., 2021. "Global capitalism as a societal determinant of health: A conceptual framework," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    3. Matthew Sparke & Owain David Williams, 2022. "Neoliberal disease: COVID-19, co-pathogenesis and global health insecurities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 54(1), pages 15-32, February.
    4. Fabiola M. Perez-Lua & Alec M. Chan-Golston & Nancy J. Burke & Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young, 2023. "The Influence of Organizational Aspects of the U.S. Agricultural Industry and Socioeconomic and Political Conditions on Farmworkers’ COVID-19 Workplace Safety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Friel, Sharon & Townsend, Belinda & Fisher, Matthew & Harris, Patrick & Freeman, Toby & Baum, Fran, 2021. "Power and the people's health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

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