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cruzsuzanne's review against another edition
5.0
This is now one of my favorite books and one that I will definitely recommend to everyone.
"Whereas the concept patriarchy denotes the historical depth of women’s exploitation and oppression, the concept capitalism is expressive of the contemporary manifestation, or the latest development of this system. Women’s problems today cannot be explained by merely referring to the old forms of patriarchal dominance. Nor can they be explained if one accepts the position that patriarchy is a ‘pre-capitalist’ system of social relations which has been destroyed and superseded, together with ‘feudalism’, by capitalist relations, because women’s exploitation and oppression cannot be explained by the functioning of capitalism alone, at least not capitalism as it is commonly understood. It is my thesis that capitalism cannot function without patriarchy, that the goal of this system, namely the never-ending process of capital accumulation, cannot be achieved unless patriarchal man-woman relations are maintained or newly created."
"Whereas the concept patriarchy denotes the historical depth of women’s exploitation and oppression, the concept capitalism is expressive of the contemporary manifestation, or the latest development of this system. Women’s problems today cannot be explained by merely referring to the old forms of patriarchal dominance. Nor can they be explained if one accepts the position that patriarchy is a ‘pre-capitalist’ system of social relations which has been destroyed and superseded, together with ‘feudalism’, by capitalist relations, because women’s exploitation and oppression cannot be explained by the functioning of capitalism alone, at least not capitalism as it is commonly understood. It is my thesis that capitalism cannot function without patriarchy, that the goal of this system, namely the never-ending process of capital accumulation, cannot be achieved unless patriarchal man-woman relations are maintained or newly created."
valeriebrett's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because I saw it was required reading for a feminist class at the university of Hawaii. I’m not sure how relevant is is almost 40 years after it’s original publication; in some ways it is, and I don’t regret reading it, but I would imagine there’s a more contemporary similar monograph out there? It was more about India and Germany than the rest of the world, at times way over generalized, but still made interesting and useful points.
comradebiblio's review against another edition
5.0
An incisive analysis of the pre-capitalist origins and capitalist development of patriarchy. Essential reading for both feminists and Marxists.
garberdog's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting but ultimately underwhelming and dated account of the interrelation between global capitalism, patriarchy, and environmental destruction. While Mies' project is ambitious and at points compelling, it falls flat at several key points. In particular, she is generally dismissive of the historical force of white supremacy (speaking only briefly about race and focusing on a first/third world dichotomy that neglects racial inequality within each sphere), antagonistic to the rights of sex workers, glosses over real differences between women, and lapses regularly into romanticizing and orientalizing residents of the Global South. Her major argument (that women are defined as housewives and into the "informal" sector) is useful, but is really only a starting point. Much needed supplementary reads include Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch and Revolution at Point Zero, Chandra Mohanty's Feminism without Borders, Ariel Salleh's Eco-Sufficiency and Global Justice, and Angel Davis's classic Women, Race, & Class
hbsalmak's review against another edition
4.0
The writer reveals the connection of capitalism to the patriarchal system, and emphasizes that, in contrast to what most socialists think, patriarchy still wouldn’t be eradicated in a socialist system, and thus sets clear the fact that socialism is not the answer, but feminism itself is, as an ideology that stands by itself and not connected or founded upon another—mostly patriarchal—ideology, to achieve a feminist aim, and that is, consciousness-raising and consequently women’s emancipation. A must-read.
devind9bde's review against another edition
5.0
The title does not do this book justice. It’s a classic for a reason. There’s serious life changing stuff in here. Read this book!!
valeriebrett's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because I saw it was required reading for a feminist class at the university of Hawaii. I’m not sure how relevant is is almost 40 years after it’s original publication; in some ways it is, and I don’t regret reading it, but I would imagine there’s a more contemporary similar monograph out there? It was more about India and Germany than the rest of the world, at times way over generalized, but still made interesting and useful points.
carlyrang's review against another edition
4.0
This book provides historical contextualization of women (particularly of the global south) and how they have been used for capital accumulation purposes through time.
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