Law, Economics and Gender

The starting point is the idea that, in order to even imagine a more economically egalitarian society from a gender perspective, it is necessary to question the very founding assumptions of traditional economic methodology, as well as the neutrality of its concepts and the way in which they have been historically consolidated.

The hypothesis inherent in the discussions of Group The key takeaway – to be developed and demonstrated throughout the meetings – is that not only will feminism and women benefit from opening the economy to their tools and debates, but economics as an autonomous academic discipline will also benefit from such dialogue, thereby being better prepared to face the major challenges – including gender equality and the fight against inequality and discrimination – that will be imposed upon it throughout the 21st century.

Following these initial discussions, the intention is to explore some of the central elements of the contemporary debate that intertwines the three fields of knowledge involved, with Law being the field that will articulate these relationships. In particular, emphasis will be placed on themes such as the at least partially patriarchal origin of basic concepts of classical economics, the sexual division of labor and its relationship to the social contract, the care economy and the affect economy, the link between reproduction, domestic work and capitalism, the invisible and now also digital boundaries of women's work, etc.

Therefore, all issues to be mediated, understood, and eventually confronted and judged also fall under the purview of Law and legal professionals. Ultimately, including women and feminism in current legal and economic debates consists, above all, in taking the language of rights seriously globally, as well as understanding that theories of justice and legitimate economic policies are only just when they include women in the equation.

Students do not need any prior knowledge or expertise in economics or feminist theories to participate.