Kathi Weeks

The Problem with Work develops a Marxist feminist critique of the structures and ethics of work, as well as a perspective for imagining a life no longer subordinated to them.

Feminism, Marxism, Antiwork Politics, and Postwork Imaginaries

The Problem with Work

Both modernists and postmodernists succeded in making clear the problems of an already constituted, essentialist subject. What remains as an on-going project Weeks contends, is creating a theory of the constitution of subjects to account for the processes of social construction. This book presents one such account.

Constituting Feminist Subjects

Michael Hardt

This book brings together key essays and excerpts from the broad spectrum of Frederic Jameson's writings, providing an accessible introduction to the intricacies of his thought and uncovering new and exciting aspects of his work.

The Jameson Reader

Kathi Weeks suggests that one of the most important tasks for contemporary feminist theory is to develop theories of the subject that are adequate to feminist politics. Although the 1980s modernist-postmodernist debate put the problem of feminist subjectivity on the agenda, Weeks contends that limited debate now blocks the further development of feminist theory. Both modernists and postmodernists succeeded in making clear the problems of an already constituted, essentialist subject. What remains as an ongoing project, Weeks contends, is creating a theory of the constitution of subjects to account for the processes of social construction. This book presents one such account. Drawing on a number of different theoretical frameworks, including feminist standpoint theory, socialist feminism and poststructuralist thought, as well as theories of peformativity and self-valorisation, the author proposes a nonessential feminist subject, a theory of constituting subjects.

La defensa del trabajo no se fundamenta simplemente en la necesidad económica y el deber social; se suele comprender como una práctica moral individual y como una obligación ética colectiva». Weeks bucea en la «ética capitalista del trabajo» para entender por qué hay tan poca controversia en torno al trabajo en sí, más allá de sus condiciones. Es este componente moral lo que normalmente se presenta como principal crítica ante las demandas de renta básica y de reducción de la jornada laboral. Para la autora estas demandas, que analiza con mucho detalle, entroncan con una larga tradición de rechazo del trabajo asociada a las luchas y teóricas feministas de los años setenta y al marxismo autónomo.Weeks profundiza en las potencias de la renta básica y la reducción de jornada no solo por su contenido -por la forma en la que se enfrentan tanto a la ética capitalista del trabajo como a la ética patriarcal familiarista-, sino también por la capacidad que tienen de cuestionar lo que dábamos por supuesto, convocar a sujetos diversos y, fundamental para ella, luchar por «tiempo para lo que queramos». Este derecho a tener el tiempo necesario implica además la posibilidad de reinventarnos junto a otros. En este sentido, pensar y organizarnos a partir de demandas que pueden parecer utópicas no supone ya un problema, es antes bien un requisito para todas las luchas que quieren ir más allá del trabajo.

feminismo, marxismo, políticas contra el trabajo e imaginarios más allá del trabajo

El problema del trabajo

A groundbreaking attempt to theorise the feminist subject One of the most important tasks for contemporary feminist theory is to develop a concept of the subject able to meet the challenges facing feminist politics. Although theorists in the 1980s raised the problem of feminist subjectivity, Kathi Weeks contends that the limited nature of that discussion now blocks the further development of feminist theory. While the problems of an already constituted essentialist subject have become patent, what remains as an ongoing project, Weeks contends, is a theory of the constitution of subjects capable of explaining the processes of social construction. This book presents one such account. Drawing on a number of different theoretical frameworks, including feminist standpoint theory, socialist feminism, and poststructuralist thought, as well as theories of peformativity and self-valorization, the author proposes a nonessential feminist subject—a theory of constituting subjects.

Kathi Weeks

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