Free-Market Feminism

Many leading feminist writers have attacked the market and demanded measures to curb it, notably anti-discrimination laws, affirmative action, equal pay for work of equal value and state-provided or subsidised childcare. Conway argues that these measures - which have been adopted in many developed countries - are neither necessary nor, in the end, helpful to women. They impose costs on production and this results in fewer jobs - which means fewer jobs for women. The market order, on the other hand, will tend to eliminate economically unjustifiable discrimination against women, since those who practice it put themselves at a competitive disadvantage by turning away the best person for the job. In common with some other volumes in the Choice in Welfare series, Free-Market Feminism includes a series of commentaries on the main essay by leading feminist authors, some supporting and some opposing David Conway's position. This makes the book a valuable guide for students and a significant contribution to one of the major debates of the day.