Does Capitalism Help or Harm Women? A Debate

Policy Forum

September 16, 2019 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EDT

Hayek Auditorium, Cato Institute

Featuring Veronique de Rugy, Senior Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University; and Nicole Aschoff, Editorial Board, Jacobin; moderated by Chelsea Follett, Policy Analyst, Cato Institute.

Has the spread of capitalism been a net positive or a net negative for women around the world? Is capitalism an inherently exploitative, oppressive, and patriarchal economic system entwined with the subjugation of women? Or has it helped to empower women, enhancing their material well-being and fostering gender parity? Advocates of women’s welfare disagree on these important questions. As a result, they seek to advance very different economic policies despite a shared goal of promoting female empowerment.

We invite you to a debate about the rise of global capitalism and its effect on women. Two scholars — a free marketer and an anti-capitalist — will go head-to-head to answer an important question: Does capitalism help or harm women?

Cato Policy Forums are free of charge. To register to attend this event, click the button below and then submit the secure web form by 3:00PM EDT on Friday, September 13, 2019. If you have any questions pertaining to registration, you may e-mail events@cato.org.

(Reception to follow)

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