The Care Manifesto by The Care Collective
The Care Manifesto critiques the modern “care-less” society shaped by neoliberalism and advocates for an overhaul of societal structures to prioritize care as a fundamental value. The authors propose a radical, collective, and inclusive vision where care is institutionalized across politics, economics, families, communities, and global relations, challenging the individualism and profit-driven nature of capitalism.
Key Ideas or Arguments Presented
- Care as the Foundation of Society
- Care is central to human life and flourishing, yet it is undervalued in contemporary society. The authors define care broadly to encompass not only individual relationships but also community solidarity, institutional policies, and environmental stewardship.
- Neoliberalism’s Erosion of Care
- The book critiques neoliberalism’s commodification of care, noting how privatization and austerity measures devalue caregiving. This has led to a global “care deficit,” disproportionately affecting women, marginalized groups, and the environment.
- The Vision of a Caring Society
- A caring society redistributes care responsibilities equitably across genders, classes, and nations. It institutionalizes care within public systems like healthcare, education, housing, and climate policies.
- Interdependence Over Individualism
- The authors reject the myth of self-sufficiency, arguing that care reflects our inherent interdependence. They emphasize that no one thrives in isolation, and our survival depends on collective care systems.
- Care Beyond the Private Sphere
- Care must transcend private domains like family and caregiving professions. Public institutions, communities, and even global politics should be restructured to promote care as a central principle.
Chapter Titles or Main Sections of the Book
- Care-less World
- Explores the care crisis created by neoliberalism, austerity, and privatization.
- Highlights how care work has been undervalued and neglected in modern economies.
- Care in the Family
- Examines the unequal distribution of caregiving in families, particularly the disproportionate burden on women.
- Advocates for more equitable and communal family care practices.
- Care in Communities
- Focuses on the role of communities in fostering resilience and mutual aid.
- Provides examples of grassroots and cooperative care initiatives.
- Care in Politics
- Argues for care to be at the heart of political decision-making.
- Proposes policies like universal basic income, stronger welfare systems, and climate justice.
- Care in the World
- Expands the concept of care to include global solidarity and ecological sustainability.
- Calls for a care-oriented approach to address climate change, global inequality, and human rights.
Key Takeaways or Conclusions
- Care is central to human existence and must be recognized as a public, collective responsibility.
- Current economic and political systems neglect and exploit care, exacerbating inequalities and ecological crises.
- A caring society requires systemic change, redistributing care responsibilities across genders, classes, and nations.
- Care is not just a private or individual duty but a political and ecological imperative that ensures collective survival.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
The Care Collective is a group of interdisciplinary scholars and activists, including Andreas Chatzidakis,
Jamie Hakim, Jo Littler, Catherine Rottenberg, and Lynne Segal. Their expertise spans sociology, cultural studies, feminist theory, and political activism, offering a well-rounded and deeply informed perspective on care as both a theoretical and practical issue.
Comparison to Other Books on the Same Subject
- Similarities:
- Like The Ethics of Care by Virginia Held, the book emphasizes care as a moral and societal framework.
- Similar to Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, it critiques systemic neglect of marginalized caregivers.
- Unique Contribution:
- Unlike books focusing solely on caregiving or feminism, The Care Manifesto integrates care into a comprehensive societal model, connecting personal care to global politics and environmental sustainability.
Target Audience or Intended Readership
- Social justice advocates, policymakers, feminists, and environmentalists.
- Academics in sociology, political science, and cultural studies.
- Readers interested in rethinking the role of care in society and imagining alternative futures.
Explanation and Analysis of Each Part
Care-less World
- Key Idea: The global care crisis stems from the prioritization of neoliberal economics over human well-being, leading to a systemic neglect of care.
- Analysis: This chapter explores how neoliberal ideologies have commodified care and eroded public services, leaving care work undervalued, precarious, and disproportionately borne by women and marginalized groups. The authors argue that care has become invisible under capitalism, as its contributions to the economy and society are rarely acknowledged. They criticize austerity policies, privatization of healthcare and education, and the gig economy for intensifying care inequality.
- Quote: “Neoliberalism breeds carelessness by putting profit over people, dismantling the institutions that sustain our collective lives.”
- Example: The dismantling of public healthcare systems in favor of privatized services, which increases inequality and excludes the most vulnerable.
Care in the Family
- Key Idea: The traditional family model perpetuates unequal caregiving burdens, particularly on women, and reinforces gendered labor dynamics.
- Analysis: The authors critique the nuclear family structure as a site where care is often privatized and undervalued, leaving women with unpaid and unacknowledged caregiving responsibilities. They argue for moving beyond this outdated model toward more communal and equitable caregiving arrangements. This chapter also discusses how caregiving roles are shaped by cultural norms, with intersections of race, class, and ability exacerbating inequalities.
- Quote: “Care must be shared, not imposed disproportionately on one gender or group within the family.”
- Example: Progressive parental leave policies, like in Nordic countries, which promote shared caregiving between partners.
- Proposed Solution: Public investment in universal childcare, paid family leave, and cooperative family structures.
Care in Communities
- Key Idea: Communities are vital for fostering resilience and mutual support, but their potential has been undermined by neoliberal individualism.
- Analysis: This chapter highlights the importance of rebuilding local and global communities as spaces of collective care. The authors discuss examples like food cooperatives, community housing initiatives, and mutual aid networks that emerged during crises (e.g., COVID-19). They emphasize that care should not only be an individual effort but a communal value that connects people. The chapter also examines barriers to community care, such as systemic racism, gentrification, and economic inequality.
- Quote: “Care in communities is the antidote to isolation and alienation fostered by neoliberalism.”
- Example: The role of mutual aid networks during the pandemic, where neighbors pooled resources to support the vulnerable.
- Proposed Solution: Strengthening community institutions and creating public spaces for collaboration and mutual care.
Care in Politics
- Key Idea: Care must become the cornerstone of political decision-making, influencing governance, economics, and public policy.
- Analysis: The authors argue that modern politics dehumanizes care, treating it as secondary to economic growth and market efficiency. This chapter lays out a blueprint for care-led governance that includes universal basic income, guaranteed housing, expanded healthcare, and environmental justice. The authors propose reimagining political systems to prioritize the well-being of people and the planet over profit. They also critique existing welfare systems, noting that they often perpetuate stigma and dependency rather than genuine empowerment.
- Quote: “A politics of care is a politics of redistribution, recognition, and sustainability.”
- Example: New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget, which prioritizes social and environmental indicators over GDP.
- Proposed Solution: Policies like universal basic services, stronger labor protections, and care-centered urban planning.
Care in the World
- Key Idea: Care must extend to global solidarity and ecological preservation, addressing systemic injustices and planetary crises.
- Analysis: In this final chapter, the authors link the neglect of care to global issues like climate change, migration, and colonialism. They argue that environmental degradation is a result of carelessness toward the planet, driven by extractive economies and short-term profit motives. Similarly, global inequalities—manifesting in poverty, displacement, and lack of access to healthcare—are framed as symptoms of a world that undervalues care. The authors call for international cooperation and ethical responsibility to foster a “caring world.”
- Quote: “Caring for the Earth and its inhabitants is not a choice but a necessity for survival.”
- Example: The Green New Deal as a framework for integrating care for the environment with social justice.
- Proposed Solution: Global initiatives for climate justice, reparations for historical injustices, and sustainable development practices.
Additional Insights Across All Parts
- Intersectionality in Care
- The authors consistently address how race, gender, class, and disability shape experiences of care and care access. They argue for intersectional approaches that recognize these disparities in policy and practice.
- Critique of Individualism
- A recurring theme is the critique of individualism, which the authors see as antithetical to care. They emphasize the need to embrace interdependence as a core principle.
- The Role of Activism
- The book highlights the importance of social movements in advancing care politics, citing examples like feminist movements, climate activism, and labor unions.
The Explanation and Analysis sections provide detailed breakdowns of each chapter’s content, connecting the theoretical framework to real-world examples and solutions. This depth helps readers understand both the urgency and feasibility of a care-oriented societal transformation.
Main Quotes Highlights
- “Care is the glue that holds societies together.”
- “A world without care is a world without a future.”
- “To care is to recognize our shared vulnerability and interdependence.”
- “The neglect of care under neoliberalism is not accidental but structural.”
Reception or Critical Response to the Book
The book has been widely praised for its timely intervention in political and social theory. Critics commend its clarity and vision but note that implementing its radical ideas may be challenging in entrenched neoliberal systems.
Recommendations
Other Similar Books
- The Ethics of Care by Virginia Held
- Care Revolution: A Feminist Perspective by Silvia Federici
- Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
- Feminism for the 99% by Nancy Fraser, Cinzia Arruzza, and Tithi Bhattacharya
From the Perspective of Mothers
How The Care Manifesto Resonates with Mothers
The book holds particular significance for mothers, who often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. The authors critique the way care is feminized, privatized, and undervalued in neoliberal societies, a perspective that deeply aligns with the lived experiences of many mothers.
Key Themes Relevant to Mothers
- The Overburden of Care
- The book acknowledges how traditional family structures place the majority of caregiving on women, especially mothers, often without adequate support. It critiques societal systems that assume care is a “natural” or “moral duty” of women rather than a shared societal responsibility.
- Quote: “Care is too often feminized, marginalized, and left to women, unpaid and invisible.”
- Redistribution of Care Responsibilities
- The authors advocate for a redistribution of caregiving roles within families, workplaces, and society, calling for greater involvement from fathers, public institutions, and employers. For mothers, this vision offers hope for systemic support that lightens their caregiving load.
- Proposed Solutions for Mothers:
- Parental leave policies that encourage fathers to take equal time off.
- Publicly funded childcare services to ease the burden on families.
- Public Recognition of Motherhood as Labor
- The manifesto challenges the undervaluation of caregiving labor, arguing that motherhood should be recognized as essential work that sustains societies. It supports policies that financially and socially recognize caregiving, such as caregiver allowances or universal basic income.
- Quote: “The labor of motherhood sustains life, yet it is rendered invisible under neoliberal capitalism.”
- Motherhood in a Communal Context
- The book envisions a shift from the isolated nuclear family model to more communal caregiving systems, where support networks—neighbors, extended family, community programs—share the responsibility. This resonates with mothers who often feel overburdened and isolated.
- Example: Community-led childcare co-ops as an alternative to expensive and inaccessible private services.
- Care for Working Mothers
- The Care Manifesto critiques work environments that penalize mothers, calling for flexible hours, paid leave, and workplace childcare facilities. The authors argue that care-friendly work policies benefit not only mothers but also society at large by fostering healthier families and communities.
- Quote: “Caring workplaces are the cornerstone of a caring society.”
How the Vision of a Caring Society Addresses Mothers’ Challenges
- Policy-Level Impact: Public investment in care services, such as universal childcare and paid family leave, would relieve mothers of the financial and emotional stress associated with caregiving.
- Community-Level Impact: Stronger neighborhood and mutual aid networks would provide mothers with much-needed support, particularly during emergencies or challenging life stages.
- Societal-Level Impact: Recognition of caregiving as a shared and vital societal responsibility would reduce the stigma and pressure placed solely on mothers.
Motherhood as a Microcosm of Care Politics
The book frames motherhood as a key site where care politics play out. Mothers’ experiences—struggles with unpaid labor, lack of societal support, and isolation—reflect broader care crises under neoliberalism. At the same time, the resilience and creativity mothers demonstrate in navigating these challenges embody the manifesto’s vision of collective and interdependent care.
Examples of Relevance to Mothers
- Single mothers navigating inadequate welfare systems reflect the need for stronger safety nets.
- Working mothers juggling paid work and unpaid caregiving highlight the importance of workplace reforms and better labor protections.
- Mothers of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses illustrate the urgency of accessible, well-funded healthcare systems.
A Call to Action for Mothers and Advocates
The book empowers mothers by validating their labor and framing it as essential to societal well-being. It also calls for collective action, encouraging mothers to join movements advocating for care-centered policies. This includes campaigning for paid family leave, accessible childcare, and healthcare reform, as well as engaging in local mutual aid networks to foster community-based care solutions.
Key Quotes from a Mother’s Perspective
- “Care must not remain an invisible labor relegated to mothers—it must become the foundation of our public institutions.”
- “A caring society is one that ensures mothers do not carry the world on their shoulders alone.”
In essence, The Care Manifesto speaks directly to the challenges and aspirations of mothers. It offers a bold vision where care is shared equitably, recognized as labor, and supported through robust public systems. For mothers, the book serves as both validation and a call for systemic change to relieve the burdens of care and build a more just, caring world.
The Book’s Biggest Takeaway in One Sentence
To address social inequality, ecological crises, and human flourishing, care must move from the margins to the center of politics, economics, and culture.
