105: The Care economy: bringing wellbeing back into our politics

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Mar 12, 2025

Tim Jackson, an ecological economist and author of 'Prosperity Without Growth', dives into the heart of the care economy. He argues for a fundamental shift in politics and economics, emphasizing that care is essential for all human development. Jackson critiques current healthcare systems, spotlighting how profit motives undermine care quality. He also explores the gendered perceptions of care work and urges society to recognize caregiving as a universal human quality. This engaging discussion challenges conventional views and calls for a transformative approach to care in our lives.

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INSIGHT

Care Is Fundamentally Human

Care has been traditionally labeled as women's work, deeply influenced by social conditioning and historical gender roles.
However, care is fundamentally human and belongs to all genders, not just women.

INSIGHT

Justice Ethics Can Overlook Violence

Justice-focused, rule-based ethics can neglect the violence it causes when unbalanced by care.
Care centers on relationships and awareness of impact on others, countering violence in society.

INSIGHT

Feminism's Care vs Equality Divide

Feminism holds a schism: one strand seeks equality with men, the other values traditionally feminine care work.
This unresolved divide affects how society values care and women's roles.

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Decolonial A Feminism

François Verges

The Care Economy

Tim Jackson

The Human Condition

Hannah Arendt

In 'The Human Condition,' Hannah Arendt provides a comprehensive account of how human activities have been understood throughout Western history. She contrasts the 'vita activa' (active life) with the 'vita contemplativa' (contemplative life) and identifies three primary human activities: labor, work, and action. Arendt discusses how these activities have evolved and been affected by changes in Western history, emphasizing the importance of action in disclosing human identity and creating a 'space of appearances' through speech and deeds. The book addresses issues such as diminishing human agency, political freedom, and the paradox of increased human powers without corresponding control over their consequences[2][3][5].

The Citadel

A. J. Cronin

The Citadel follows the life of Andrew Manson, a young and idealistic Scottish doctor, as he navigates the challenges of practicing medicine across interwar Wales and England. The novel confronts traditional medical ethics and highlights issues of social and health inequalities, drawing from Cronin's own experiences as a physician. It is noted for its influence on the formation of the National Health Service.

In a different voice

psychological theory and women's development

Carol Gilligan

In 'In a Different Voice,' Carol Gilligan challenges the dominant theories of moral development, particularly those of Lawrence Kohlberg, which were based on male subjects and privileged a masculine approach to moral decision-making. Gilligan argues that women's psychological and moral development is distinct and emphasizes the importance of an 'ethic of care' that values relationships and interconnectedness. The book has had a significant impact on gender studies, social and developmental psychology, and ethics, and has been widely praised for its insightful and provocative analysis of gender differences in moral reasoning.

In a Human Voice

Carol Gilligan

In this book, Carol Gilligan revisits her groundbreaking work on moral development and care ethics, arguing that the 'different voice' initially associated with women is, in fact, a human voice. She explores how this perspective challenges patriarchal norms and offers a path to liberation through care ethics.