The Sexual Politics of Capitalism

The Sexual Politics of Capitalism offers a groundbreaking examination of how the global elite has used gender, sexuality, and violence to maintain control. Anthropologist Nancy Lindisfarne and writer Jonathan Neale trace the devastating effects of these tactics, showing how issues of gender and sexuality have been weaponized, especially since the 1980s, to make inequality appear inevitable, keeping the powerful in power and the marginalized fighting for survival.

Spanning the globe, Lindisfarne and Neale explore the lived experiences of those on the front lines of this struggle. From mass incarceration in the United States to the resilience of queer communities in China, from Black women’s battles for AIDS medication in South Africa to the fight against toxic masculinity in world leaders like Putin, Modi, Trump, and Netanyahu, this book provides a sweeping yet deeply personal account of resistance. The authors draw connections between diverse movements—union women in Nicaragua, farmers’ widows in India, and bar workers in Vietnam—showing how global forces of capitalism exploit gender and sexuality to maintain power. At the same time, The Sexual Politics of Capitalism shines a light on the ongoing revolts against sexual harassment, rape, and reproductive injustice, as well as the fight for trans rights in the United States.

With meticulous research and a passionate call for change, The Sexual Politics of Capitalism is more than a history—it is a manifesto for liberation. The authors invite readers to feel the grief and rage sparked by decades of oppression but also the solidarity and hope inspired by the global movements rising up in response. This radical work challenges us to confront the intimate and structural forces shaping our world and to join the fight for a more just and equitable future.