Nancy Folbre is a MacArthur Award winner and specializes in the interaction of feminist theory and political economy. In her novel, The Invisible Heart: Economics and Family Values, Folbre discusses the invisible heart of caring labor, which is hard to categorize in dollar terms. The invisible heart is termed by Folbre as a care system for children, the aged and the infirm.
Folbre discusses how Adam Smith’s notion of the invisible hand of the free market and competitive individualism is increasing dominating public life. This relates to the supply and demand in the market that exists alongside the pursuit of self interests. The market is portrayed as not being able to provide support for the prescription of labor divisions of the elderly and women. Corporations are viewed as neglecting social responsibilities in favor of the bottom line. Alternatively, the government is seen as providing bureaucratic regimes that serve few and punishes the poor. While regressive taxation assures that some will be able to afford more care than others, unequal school funding guarantee inequality between class divisions.
The novel examines the traditional role of women with the more contemporary career oriented position. For centuries women have provided free care within the home; however this priority is now in the hands of institutions. These institutions do not obtain the funding priorities that other endeavors have in the global economy. Therefore, the ability to provide personal and loving care is becoming eroded over time. Folbre argues that radical changes to the way American’s live and work democratic control of the economy as well as a dramatic redistribution of wealth will strengthen the ethic of solidarity and reciprocity. This ethic is a prerequisite for the needed care in society.
Folbre provides insights into how government, employers and society more generally approach economic theory and more social welfare policy options such as care for children, the sick, invalid and the elderly. Folbre provides an important contribution to the discussion of what American society could be through the use of humor and insight that elevates her book above other competing theoretical frameworks.
Folbre presents a suitable option for academics in the political economy and feminist spheres of work as well at large public libraries. Overall, Folbre presents readable, well-documented and thought-provoking work in her chapters that are informative, critical and well supported. Folbre seeks answers and delivers than in an incisive and informed social critique.
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