Description
Book SynopsisThe logics and ethics of neoliberal capitalism dominate public discourses and politics in the early twenty-first century. They morally endorse and institutionalize forms of competitive self-interest that jettison social justice values, and are deeply antithetical to love, care and solidarity.
But capitalism is neither invincible nor inevitable. While people are self-interested, they are not purely self-interested: they are bound affectively and morally to others, even to unknown others. The cares, loves and solidarity relationships within which people are engaged give them direction and purpose in their daily lives. They constitute cultural residuals of hope that stand ready to move humanity beyond a narrow capitalism-centric set of values.
In this instructive and inspiring book, Kathleen Lynch sets out to reclaim the language of love, care and solidarity both intellectually and politically and to place it at the heart of contemporary discourse. Her goal is to help unseat capital at the gravitational centre of meaning-making and value, thereby helping to create logics and ethical priorities for politics that are led by care, love and solidarity.
Trade Review“The force of this book demands that the reader viscerally engage with the destructive and life-threatening ideas, values, practices and consequences of capitalism and its servant neoliberalism, for human subjects, for non-human beings and the planet.... Lynch presents readers with a new language for social change.”
Irish Times
“[A]n ambitious and impressive blockbuster […]at once a scholarly exploration and review of many of the most important contributions to care theory over recent years, and an inspiring, manifesto-like call for action.”
Michael D. Fine, International Journal of Care and Caring
"One of the most significant books I have read in years. Lynch challenges many of the key assumptions underpinning neoliberalism and the norms that guide it. At the same time, she provides powerful and insightful alternatives."
Michael W. Apple, Beijing Normal University and University of Wisconsin–Madison
"Kathleen Lynch brings her well-known understanding of care as affective relations to new realms. She deepens thinking about care’s relation to violence and extending care to non-human animals. Most importantly, she explains why capitalism is so hostile to care at all levels."
Joan C. Tronto, University of Minnesota
"This beautifully written indictment of neoliberal capitalism articulates a new definition of justice that goes beyond unfair appropriation to call out failures to reward necessary contributions to the public good. Impressive scholarship and passionate intensity make this book a stellar addition to the emerging discourse of care."
Nancy Folbre, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1 Care and Capitalism: Matters of Social Justice and Resistance
Part I Care Matters Inside and Outside Capitalism
2 Care as Abject: Capitalism, Masculinity, Bureaucracy, Class and Race
3 Making Love: Love Labour as Distinctive and Non-Commodifiable
4 Time to Care
Part II Challenges
5 Liberalism, Care and Neoliberalism
6 Individualism and Capitalism: From Personalized Salvation to Human Capitals
7 Care-Harming Ideologies of Capitalism: Competition, Measurement and Meritocratic Myths
Part III Violence – the Nemesis of Care
8 The Violation of Non-Human Animals
9 Violence and Capitalism
Part IV Conclusions
10 Resisting Intellectually, Politically, Culturally and Educationally
Postscript: Care Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic
