| This project seeks to contribute to the conversation around the legitimate realm of inquiry in international political economy by bringing into consideration a fundamental component of women's traditional work. The central argument is that traditional approaches to international political economy are inadequate to comprehend the differentiated impact of global social forces on the lived experiences of care givers, most of whom are women. An historical materialist approach, however, which begins from the social justice implications of transformation in the relations of production makes such a comprehension possible.;The empirical focus of this study examines the nature of changes currently underway in the care-giving professions of nursing and day care in Ontario. The overall conclusion is that historical materialism's emphasis on the relations of production--and particularly the nature of power and social justice embedded therein--provides an intellectual tool kit to understand the nature, substance and direction of change in the emerging social structure of accumulation. The project concludes with some observations on the purpose of social theory and the linkages between power, social justice and caring labour. |
