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To market, to market: Imperial capitalism's destruction of social capital and the family

Author

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  • David H. Ciscel

    (Department of Economics, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA)

  • Julia A. Heath

    (Department of Economics, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; Tel.: +1-1901-678-2785; fax: +1-901-678-8397 jheath@cc.memphis.edu)

Abstract

The market, far from being the sine qua non for modem society in general, and the family in particular, has eroded the social fiber that gives shape and resilience to the experiences of individuals, families, and ultimately, the market itself. Reviewing both historical and feminist analysis of the family in a capitalist market society, it is clear that the modem market is imperial. Not only does it transform every human interaction into a transient market exchange, it undermines the basis for social reproduction through the family. Using the concept of social capital as a primary analytical tool, this paper argues that the distinction between home and market labor has been unnecessarily polarized, limiting policy options. Thus, society's ability to produce and maintain long-standing social networks is put at risk, paradoxically reducing the market's ability to perform efficiently.

Suggested Citation

  • David H. Ciscel & Julia A. Heath, 2001. "To market, to market: Imperial capitalism's destruction of social capital and the family," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 33(4), pages 401-414, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:33:y:2001:i:4:p:401-414
    DOI: 10.1177/048661340103300403
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barbara R. Bergmann, 1996. "Becker’s Theory of the Family: Preposterous Conclusions," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(2), pages 9-12, March.
    2. Julia A. Heath, 1990. "Non-Employed Women, Marriage and the Sisyphus Syndrome," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 103-114, March.
    3. Julia Heath & David Ciscel & David Sharp, 1998. "The Work of Families: The Provision of Market and Household labor and the Role of Public Policy," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(4), pages 501-521.
    4. Nancy Folbre, 1995. ""Holding hands at midnight": The paradox of caring labor," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(1), pages 73-92.
    5. Samuel Bowles, 1998. "Endogenous Preferences: The Cultural Consequences of Markets and Other Economic Institutions," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 36(1), pages 75-111, March.
    6. Julie Nelson, 1999. "Of Markets And Martyrs: Is It OK To Pay Well For Care?," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(3), pages 43-59.
    7. Susan Himmelweit, 1995. "The Discovery of 'Unpaid Work': the social consequences of the expansion of 'work'," Open Discussion Papers in Economics 6, The Open University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bezemer, Dirk & Dulleck, Uwe & Frijters, Paul, 2005. "Social Capital, Creative Destruction and Economic Development," Research Report 05C09, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    2. Miguel, Edward A. & Gertler, Paul & Levine, David I., 2003. "Did Industrialization Destroy Social Capital in Indonesia?," Center for International and Development Economics Research, Working Paper Series qt9kt2m860, Center for International and Development Economics Research, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    3. Wicks, Rick, 2011. "Assumption without representation: the unacknowledged abstraction from communities and social goods," MPRA Paper 51674, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. repec:dgr:rugsom:05c09 is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Markets; Social update; Family; Work;
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