FEMALE MARGINALIZATION: EFFECTS OF INTEGRATION OF THE PERIPHERY INTO THE WORLD CAPITALIST SYSTEM
Abstract
This study analyzes the effects of integration of the periphery into the world capitalist system on urbanization and status of women vis-a-vis men's position in the productive sphere. While traditional views of development maintain that economic and social benefits accrue to both women and men in these societies as economic development proceeds, the radical perspective claims both are marginalized. Dependency/accumulation theorists and feminists argue that women are more marginalized as they are relegated to the lowest category of jobs in the tertiary sector. Socialist feminists further maintain that female marginalization in the work force is a result of the intermeshing of capitalism and patriarchy. Data from eighty-five peripheral nations are analyzed to test the hypotheses suggested by the radical perspective. Findings reveal that foreign capital penetration in the periphery leads to modernization of agriculture. Moreover, while foreign loans have a positive effect on export of manufactures, foreign investments have a marginal and negative effect. The hypothesis that increased production of manufactures for export leads to rapid urbanization is strongly supported. Although agricultural modernization exerts the same positive effect on urbanization, such effect is weak. Finally, findings show that rapid urbanization engenders female concentration in the tertiary sector which constitutes female marginalization in the periphery.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Womens studies|Social structure
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