Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism

And Other Arguments for Economic Independence

De: Kristen R. Ghodsee

Narrado por: Esther Wane

A “brilliant,” “engaging,” and “valuable,” (Financial Times) exploration of why capitalism hurts women and how socialism, when done right, can bring economic independence, better labor conditions and, yes, even better sex.

In Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism, acclaimed ethnographer Kristen R. Ghodsee argues that unregulated capitalism disproportionately harms women—at work, at home, in government, and in the bedroom. Having spent years researching what happened to women in countries that transitioned from state socialism to capitalism, Ghodsee claims that by rejecting the bad and salvaging the good, we can adapt some socialist ideas to the twenty-first century and improve our lives.

This book is a spirited, witty, and deeply researched exploration of why socialism—when done right—can lead to economic independence, better work life balance, and yes, even better sex. It's become increasingly clear to women that capitalism isn’t working for us, and Ghodsee is the informed, lively guide who can show us the way forward.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Wonderful ... Kristen Ghodsee doesn't wear rose-tinted spectacles ... but she seeks with great brio and nuance to lay out what some socialist states achieved for women ... That Ghodsee also makes this a joyous read is the cherry on the cake."—Suzanne Moore, Observer

"Brilliant ... engaging ... Ghodsee is not naive [and] brings the necessary scepticism to her thesis [which] comes into sharp focus when she looks at what happened after the Wall fell ... [a] valuable record of how things were and how they could be."—Rosie Boycott, Financial Times

"Convincing, provocative and useful."—Times Higher Education

"The virtue of Ghodsee's smart, accessible book is that it illustrates how it might be possible for a woman-or, for that matter, a man-to have an entirely different structural relationship to something as fundamental as sex, or health...
Ghodsee approvingly notes the growing appeal of socialist ideas among young people in the United States and Western Europe, and her book is a useful reminder that the spread of these ideas would not just advantage the Bernie bros but might also better women's lives in significant ways. More orgasms alone might be a fine thing. But a change in the structural conditions under which more orgasms might be possible is another level of turn-on entirely."—Rebecca Mead, TheNew Yorker

"With acumen and wit, [Ghodsee] lays bare the inequities women face under capitalism and the desirability of decoupling 'love and intimacy from economic considerations.'"—O Magazine

"What if all it takes to get laid more is to embrace democratic socialism?... Ghodsee demonstrates how, historically, women have reported greater sexual satisfaction under democratic socialist (and even communist) governments."—Sophia Benoit, GQ Magazine

"[A] short, crisp and wonderfully engaging polemic [that] couldn't be more urgent.... A tonic for a badly ailing discourse.... Ghodsee's book shows that for women, socialism can at least improve the conditions for pleasure, and perhaps inextricably, love."—Liza Featherstone, Jacobin

"A provocative and deftly argued text."—Broadly

"Capitalism has fundamentally shaped and warped the ways we relate to each other, sexually and otherwise...leading us to view intimacy and love as things that only exist in finite quantities, and that are only worth investing in worthy relationships. Ghodsee's book offers an alternative to this model, looking back at the state-socialist regimes in the 20th century, under which the state liberalized divorce laws, legalized abortion, invested in collective laundries and nurseries, and enabled women to attain more economic freedom-and in turn, better sex."—The Cut

"A straightforward account of how capitalism harms women-including, yes, in our intimate lives... It made me want to do much more than vote."—Jewish Currents

An interesting take

I’m learning about collectivist ideas. Economics can be such a complex topic, but viewing certain ideas through a digestible framework like sex makes complicated ideas a little easier to grasp. I appreciate the work that went into this book.

Excellent

Every Millennial woman (which I am one) needs to read this! Very well written. Easy to follow and well sourced.

Very Good

I was recommended this book by a YouTuber thought the book seemed interesting as someone who is a socialist the title seemed interesting if not a little funny. As someone who also studies anthropology I found it equally compelling. Needless to say I thought the book was amazing has a very strong argue from a materialist and cultural perspective that exemplifies the failures of a capitalist economy to achieve gender equity. Definitely would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between capitalist-patriarchy.

Good Story

Super informative, would have loved a bit more of a thorough exploration on topics but good listen.

Excellent

Really thought provoking! Love the call to action for everyone to understand political systems better.

Story was excellent, but the narration…

The book is excellent, very glad I finally got around to listening to it and I’m going to purchase a physical copy for my collection of leftist books. That being said, the narration did not match imo and quite a few times the new mispronounce words, but overall it was good

Great quick read

I really like this book and believe the author did a good job highlighting the complexities socialist feminism in existing socialist countries. Even though Ms. Ghodsee entertains the traditional liberal understanding of Stalin and Soviet “authoritarianism” this does not greatly hamper the book’s feminist analysis.

Excellent

Title says it all. Informative, thoughtful, well-written, add inspiring. Looking for more like it.

Phenomally clear call to action for all women and men who care

A must read that will confirm all your feelings about sex and capitalism. I just sent it to my 32 year old daughter who teaches high school.

Great summary of Socialist ideas for women and men

Very enjoyable, even as a dude who's not particularly vulnerable to some of the faults of Capitalism that are discussed. It takes a fairly even-handed approach with equal criticism to Soviet bloc as the United States.

It doesn't dig too deeply into prescriptions, but does point towards programs that have been and could be successful in any society that strives for more equality and which favours life satisfaction over dogmatic affiliation to either economic system. If any argument is made, it is for a Democratic Socialist model similar to the Nordic model with an emphasis on data.

For such a short listen, it compresses a huge amount of refutations, supporting arguments, and empathy-driven rhetoric on many topics beyond just good sex.