Topic 7 - Production and Reproduction

TOPIC 7 - Overview

In this lecture, we explore the complex entanglements of global capitalism and social reproduction. We begin by reviewing Marx and Engels' analysis of production, reproduction and the family and then examine in more detail the inherent contradictions of capitalism when it comes to social reproduction. We finally consider surrogacy and the way capitalism has transformed gestational reproduction into a commodity. By the end of the week, you should be able to:

• Explain the relation between production and social reproduction 
  
• Identify the way capitalism and the gendered division of labour have evolved over time
  
• Assess feminist solutions such as wages for housework and the abolition of the family

Preparation for the seminar

1) Attend and take notes on the lecture. 

2) Read and take notes on the following core reading:

3) Watch the short video "Family Abolition" by Sophie Lewis. You will find the link at the bottom of this section.

4 ) Finally, feel free to also read and take notes on the following additional reading for the topic:

• Elizabeth S. Scott (2009) Surrogacy and the Politics of Commodification. Law & Contemporary Problems 72 (2009): 109-146. 
  
• Amrita Pande (2010) Commercial surrogacy in India: Manufacturing a perfect mother-worker. Signs: Journal of women in culture and society 35(4), pp. 969-992.
  
• Alison Bailey (2011) Reconceiving surrogacy: Toward a reproductive justice account of Indian surrogacy. Hypatia 26(4), pp. 715-741.
  
• Silvia Federici (2020) "Wages Against Housework (1975)" in Revolution at point zero: housework, reproduction, and feminist struggle. New York: PM Press, pp. 11-18.
  
• Alessandra Mezzadri, Susan Newman and Sara Stevano (2022) Feminist global political economies of work and social reproduction. Review of International Political Economy 29(6), pp. 1783-1803.
• Sophie Lewis (2021) “She did it for the money,” in Full Surrogacy Now: Feminism against family. London: Verso Books, pp. 110-140. Please find a PDF copy of the chapter at the bottom of this section.

Seminar discussion

1) There is a growing literature on the “care crisis” (see for example this recent review of three books on the topic, including Fraser’s Cannibal Capitalism). Think of one example to explain what you understand to be the current crisis of care. Be prepared to share this with the rest of the class.

In the second part of the seminar, we will review the analyses and solutions presented in the lecture and core readings for this week.

2) In small groups you will asked to assess whether Sophie Lewis’s radical demand for family abolition offers a way out of the current crisis. Be prepared to present key points in your discussion (specifically, points of consensus and contention) and debate your views in a plenary session.

TOPIC 7 - Supplementary Reading