Introduction

This book looks at the breakdown between the public and the private spheres of modern neoliberal power, particularly in how it relates to feminism. World, Class, Women investigates the intersections between the private power championed by some contemporary postmodern feminist theory (through discussions of, for example, identity, psychology, subjectivity, entrepreneurship, emotions, and caring) and the organization of private power-particularly corporate and military power-which has led to a current crisis in politics. The current phase of capitalism witnesses a depletion of supports for the public. Poorer countries make their economic infrastructures attractive to foreign investors by lowering wage levels, deregulating the environment, bashing labor organization, cutting taxes, cutting spending, and the like in order to increase potential private profitability. Richer countries have also cut taxes and social services as private companies have taken over many of the functions formerly performed by public institutions.