Homes in Crisis Capitalism - by Marnie Holborow (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Homes in Crisis Capitalism explores the core social reproduction role that individual households fulfil in our societies, and the class and racial effects of this on gender inequality and discrimination. Women now make up nearly half of the paid workforce globally, yet prevailing neoliberal social policy continues to rule out adequate state provision of child- and elder-care, choosing instead to rely on marketized services to fill the gap. It is mainly women who carry out this little valued care work, either in a non-paid or paid capacity, and gender inequality is entrenched across society. Official gender parity policies, often expressed in terms of equality of opportunity, have done little to ease the double burden of domestic and care work for the vast majority of women. Competitive labour markets discriminate against those expected to be the primary caregivers of children, the sick and disabled and older people. In addition, the presence across many societies of an acute housing crisis and soaring inflation have put added pressures on home life. A social reproduction crisis has developed, and it is working class women and women of colour who are paying the price.

Holborow analyses homes in crisis capitalism through a Marxist lens of capitalist social reproduction. This book charts the interwoven social and political effects and outcomes of work and care provided in the home, and makes the case for a radical break with capitalism to give social reproduction the material resources and social recognition it deserves.

Review Quotes

"This book explains the contemporary sources of women's oppression while simultaneously placing women and people of colour in the forefront of resistance to capitalist exploitation. It deserves a wide readership." --Brian O'Boyle, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

"An important contribution to Marxist and feminist theory on how the home contributes to late capitalism. Should be read by anyone who wants to explore why sexism persists when the political elite talk so frequently about 'equality, diversity and inclusion'." --Kieran Allen, University College Dublin

"Starting from the way the recent experience of pandemic propelled homes into sharp focus, Marnie Holborow goes wider, deeper and longer to examine the complex and ever-evolving realities of the domestic realm. Seeing homes, families and gender roles in their essential relationship to modes of production, she brings the clear light of Marxism to forge a path through what can sometimes be murky and confusing terrain. She examines a wide range of alternative positions and puts forward clear arguments for her own positions. This book is a serious contribution to contemporary conceptualisation of gender and social reproduction as well as political strategies for dealing with the many practical issues arising from that." --Helena Sheehan, Emeritus Professor at Dublin City University, Ireland

"A must-read scholarly but accessible account of the contradictory role of homes and the crisis in care under late capitalism. Drawing on and developing social reproduction theory, Holborow offers insights into political strategies for radical change." --Goretti Horgan, Ulster University, Northern Ireland

"[A] provocative, urgent book for our times, filled with analysis and insight ... making a compelling and urgent case for a different conception of care and 'home' as part of an alternative vision of society that puts the most marginalised and vulnerable at its core. This timely book should be essential reading for every person who calls themself a socialist." --Irish Marxist Review

"[A] superb analysis of the contemporary relationship between households and capital.... This is a great book ... I would recommend its immediate adoption as required reading on any and all courses concerned with the politics or political economy of contemporary society, with Chapter Six as the point of entry. Nothing else offers a better place to start." --Paul Cammack, What's Worth Reading

"This book is a well written, provocative must read for anyone who is concerned about the relationship between capitalism and the often-hidden burden of social reproductive labour. It is a call to arms in the struggle not just for gender justice but justice for everyone in a global context that is increasingly shaped by egregious levels of inequality." --Camilla Fitzsimons, Associate Professor, Maynooth University

"This book is a trove of invaluable research, well developed in a coherent narrative. From Marx and a reappraised Engels through to the 2008 banking collapse, the ensuing austerity programmes, the Brexit catastrophe and on to the pandemic, Holborow shows clearly the incessant erosion of social values." --Morning Star

About the Author

Marnie Holborow is an Associate Faculty member at Dublin City University, Ireland. She is a writer and activist, and the author of two books on Marxism and language - the most recent of which is Language and Neoliberalism (2015). She has also contributed to journals with articles on the home, women and paid employment, and on the 2018 Irish movement for abortion rights - in which she was an active participant.