The Economic Gulag: Patriarchy, Capitalism, and Inequality

350 Pages·2018·1.726 MB·English

by  Robert Bahlieda

524
T h e
The Economic Gulag: Patriarchy, Capitalism, and Inequality is a trenchant critical anal-
ysis of the devastating ravages of capitalist patriarchy in our modern society and its
pervasive and increasingly destabilizing negative influence on our views and values t E c o n o m i c
regarding power, gender, wealth, and inequality. It extends the investigation begun in h
The Democratic Gulag (2015) that argued that we live in a social and ideological gulag
e
G u l a g
dominated by the meta-ideology of patriarchy that has defined and circumscribed

e
every aspect of the social experience of humanity for millennia to the detriment of
c
all. The Economic Gulag explores how patriarchy is infused within capitalist theory and
o
practice. It offers a socially democratic critique and alternatives to reform its dom-
inance. Through the lens of critical theory and the use of current empirical and sta- n
tistical research, The Economic Gulag deconstructs the modern neoliberal capitalist
o
wealth myth and its underlying theory of homo economicus. This book exposes a sys-
m
tem rife with deception, inequality, human exploitation, and misery that is touted as
i
the unchallenged champion of democratic individualism and success. The Economic
c
Gulag makes a powerful case for the pressing need to dismantle the democratic and

economic gulags in which we live and replace them with a new ideal social democracy
g
based on true economic equality and fairness in a post-patriarchal and post-capital-
u
ist world. It concludes with fifteen radical, powerful, and transformative recommen-
dations for change that will provide the “shock therapy” required to usher in a new l
socially democratic order liberated from patriarchy and all its vestiges. a
g

Robert Bahlieda is a retired elementary school principal (2008)
b
and academic theorist with 37 years of experience working in edu- a
cation in Ontario, Canada. He holds a Master’s Degree (M.A.) h
in English from York University in Toronto and a Doctorate in l
i
Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Toronto (Ontario Insti- e
d
tute for Studies in Education).
a
www.peterlang.com
P
E
T
E
R
L
A Patriarchy, Capitalism, & Inequality
N
G
524 R o b e r t B a h l i e d a
Cover image: ©iStock.com/Thomas Shanahan
524
T h e
The Economic Gulag: Patriarchy, Capitalism, and Inequality is a trenchant critical anal-
ysis of the devastating ravages of capitalist patriarchy in our modern society and its
pervasive and increasingly destabilizing negative influence on our views and values t E c o n o m i c
regarding power, gender, wealth, and inequality. It extends the investigation begun in h
The Democratic Gulag (2015) that argued that we live in a social and ideological gulag
e
G u l a g
dominated by the meta-ideology of patriarchy that has defined and circumscribed

e
every aspect of the social experience of humanity for millennia to the detriment of
c
all. The Economic Gulag explores how patriarchy is infused within capitalist theory and
o
practice. It offers a socially democratic critique and alternatives to reform its dom-
inance. Through the lens of critical theory and the use of current empirical and sta- n
tistical research, The Economic Gulag deconstructs the modern neoliberal capitalist
o
wealth myth and its underlying theory of homo economicus. This book exposes a sys-
m
tem rife with deception, inequality, human exploitation, and misery that is touted as
i
the unchallenged champion of democratic individualism and success. The Economic
c
Gulag makes a powerful case for the pressing need to dismantle the democratic and

economic gulags in which we live and replace them with a new ideal social democracy
g
based on true economic equality and fairness in a post-patriarchal and post-capital-
u
ist world. It concludes with fifteen radical, powerful, and transformative recommen-
dations for change that will provide the “shock therapy” required to usher in a new l
socially democratic order liberated from patriarchy and all its vestiges. a
g

Robert Bahlieda is a retired elementary school principal (2008)
b
and academic theorist with 37 years of experience working in edu- a
cation in Ontario, Canada. He holds a Master’s Degree (M.A.) h
in English from York University in Toronto and a Doctorate in l
i
Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Toronto (Ontario Insti- e
d
tute for Studies in Education).
a
P
E
T
E
R
L
A Patriarchy, Capitalism, & Inequality
N
G
524 R o b e r t B a h l i e d a
Cover image: ©iStock.com/Thomas Shanahan
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
The Economic Gulag

“Robert Bahlieda uses the prism of patriarchy to produce an intellectual work of conscience
against today’s profiteering ‘Wild West.’ Building upon others’ empirical research, he closely
faults (among other icons) globalization, democracy, religion, and technology. From clear-
headed topic sentences on through to bracing conclusions, Bahlieda’s paragraphs move the
reader through deep structural changes that could help humanize society. I see his provocative
book as ethical, ambitious, and important as, say, Naomi Klein’s much-admired This Changes
Everything.”
—Richard Townsend, Professor Emeritus of Education, Ontario Institute for
Studies in Education, University of Toronto

“To say that Robert Bahlieda’s new book is timely is an understatement. Issues of patriarchy,
power, and privilege dominate the headlines. Rarely a day goes by that we are not confronted
by the abuses associated with all three. Dr. Bahlieda’s book will help readers to understand
patriarchy, power, and economic privilege in new and helpful ways and provide them with
options to make the world a better place for everyone.”
—James Ryan, Professor of Education, Ontario Institute for
Studies in Education, University of Toronto

The Economic Gulag
Studies in Criticality

Shirley R. Steinberg
General Editor

Vol. 524

The Counterpoints series is part of the Peter Lang Education list.
Every volume is peer reviewed and meets
the highest quality standards for content and production.

PETER LANG
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Robert Bahlieda

The Economic Gulag

Patriarchy, Capitalism, and Inequality

PETER LANG
New York  Bern  Berlin
Brussels  Vienna  Oxford  Warsaw
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bahlieda, Robert, author.
Title: The economic gulag: patriarchy, capitalism, and inequality /
Robert Bahlieda.
Description: New York: Peter Lang, 2018.
Series: Counterpoints: studies in criticality; vol. 524 | ISSN 1058-1634
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017057673 | ISBN 978-1-4331-5376-1 (hardback: alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4331-5377-8 (paperback: alk. paper) | ISBN 978-1-4331-5378-5 (ebook pdf)
ISBN 978-1-4331-5379-2 (epub) | ISBN 978-1-4331-5380-8 (mobi)
Subjects: LCSH: Capitalism—Social aspects. | Equality. | Patriarchy.
Classification: LCC HB501 .B2245 2018 | DDC 330.12/2—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017057673
DOI 10.3726/b13333
Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the “Deutsche
Nationalbibliografie”; detailed bibliographic data are available
on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de/.
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity
of the Council of Library Resources.
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All rights reserved.
Reprint or reproduction, even partially, in all forms such as microfilm,
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Previous Works by This Author
The Democratic Gulag: Patriarchy, Leadership
and Education (2015)