Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

Episode: Why Women Have Better Sex in Socialism

Release Date: January 28, 2021

Episode Overview

This episode explores the intersecting themes of economic inequality, policy proposals under the Biden administration, and the relationship between economic systems and the quality of women’s lives—particularly relating to gender equality, social policies, and even intimate satisfaction. In the second half, Professor Kristen Ghodsee joins as a guest to present research from her book, "Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism," discussing empirical evidence on women’s status and satisfaction in socialist versus capitalist societies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Biden Administration Economic Proposals and Inequality

(00:10–08:53)

• Economic Inequality as a Central Concern:
  Richard Wolff highlights why economic inequality must be a priority for the Biden administration due to its profound effects on all aspects of society.

  “Economic inequality is a very profound shaper of pretty much everything else that goes on in our society.” – Richard Wolff [00:46]

• Spending by Borrowing, Not Taxation:
  The administration plans a ~$2 trillion package focusing on direct relief and public aid, but emphasizes borrowing over increasing taxes. Wolff critiques this, pointing out that borrowing benefits the wealthy through future interest payments, exacerbating existing inequality.

• Alternatives – Taxing the Rich and Wealth Taxes:
  Wolff advocates for steeply progressive income taxes and instituting wealth taxes, especially on financial assets like stocks and bonds, which the current property tax system largely exempts.

  “The inequality and the injustice of this tax system is stupefying.” – Richard Wolff [06:39]

• Historical Context:
  Higher progressive taxation in the mid-20th century coincided with lower unemployment and faster growth—contradicting arguments that tax cuts for the rich stimulate the economy.

2. The Federal Minimum Wage and Its Limits

(08:53–13:34)

• Raising the Floor:
  The proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour is discussed as a step forward, but Wolff stresses its limitations due to inflation and cost of living increases since the last adjustment in 2009.

  "Every year since then, prices have gone up...but we didn't raise it. The Democrats couldn't, and the Republicans wouldn't raise the minimum." – Richard Wolff [10:21]

• Comparative Inadequacy:
  Even at $15/hour (about $30,000/year), the minimum wage barely exceeds the poverty line for a family of four, insufficient to meaningfully address disparities.

• Conservative Objections vs. Economic Reality:
  Wolff rebuffs conservative fears of job loss, saying increased wages create new demand and jobs.

  “All of those people who get more money...they're going to have much more money to spend. ...That's going to lead people to get more jobs.” – Richard Wolff [13:23]

3. Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism (with Professor Kristen Ghodsee)

(15:23–28:37)

Introduction to Professor Ghodsee and Her Argument

(15:25–16:50)

• Research Background:
  Professor Ghodsee's book is based on 20 years of studying women’s lives in Eastern Europe—with a focus on how economic systems shape women’s experiences.

• Thesis Statement:

  “Capitalism is a calamity for women...my research really focuses on women’s issues and specifically women’s issues in Eastern Europe...once you overthrew capitalism, you would have a sort of new kind of woman, right?” – Kristen Ghodsee [15:57]

Empirical Evidence and “The Natural Experiment” of Eastern Europe

(16:50–21:11)

• Post-1989 Eastern Europe as a Social Science “Experiment”:
  The fall of socialism allowed direct comparison between populations previously separated by economic systems, notably in divided Germany.

• Key Argument:
  Socialist states in Eastern Europe provided demonstrably better outcomes for women across various metrics: life satisfaction, economic independence, intimate well-being, rights, and social services.

• Cold War Competition Improved Women’s Rights in the West Too:
  The socialist commitment to gender equality pressured Western societies to extend similar rights and services.

Specific Policy Examples and Evidence

(21:11–27:36)

• Sexual Satisfaction and Relationships:
  Eastern German women reported higher emotional and sexual satisfaction than their Western counterparts; marriage was more desirable and equitable.

• Work and Education:
  Socialist states broadly promoted women’s employment, education (especially in STEM), and political participation. For example:

  • Smaller gender gap in mathematics achievement persist to this day (as per the “Girls, Math and Socialism” study).
  • Higher STEM graduation rates for women in Poland (43%) and Romania (41%) compared to Germany (28%).

• Socialization of Domestic Labor:
  Policies targeted at supporting women included state-run child care, public laundries, cafeterias, and reproductive rights—facilitating both workforce participation and economic independence.

  “Pretty much without exception, they all had very strong commitments to the socialization of childcare and housework as much as possible.” – Kristen Ghodsee [23:40]

• Continued Impact and Decline of Rights Post-‘89:
  Since 1989–91, support for women's rights has often waned, as Cold War ideological competition ended, reducing pressure on capitalist societies to maintain these programs.

  “After 89 and 91, we have pretty good evidence to show that women's rights have actually started to lose the support of the global community because the Cold War is over.” – Kristen Ghodsee [25:45]

• Critical Reflection—not “Whitewashing”:
  Ghodsee acknowledges that socialist states had their own oppressive features and significant variety, but that their achievements on women’s rights are historically significant and instructive.

  "It's really important...to deal with the Cold War that's in our minds. Women's rights are one of the things that these Eastern bloc countries did really well." – Kristen Ghodsee [24:45]

The Need for a Nuanced, Balanced View of Socialism

(27:36–28:37)

• Breaking the “Cold War in our Minds”:
  Ghodsee calls for honest recognition of both the failures and successes of socialism, especially regarding women's rights.

  “The Soviet experience or the Eastern Bloc experience is used as a cudgel to silence discussion of socialism as a real political alternative...We can learn from those things and get rid of the bad parts, salvage the good parts, and move forward into a more just, equitable and sustainable future.” – Kristen Ghodsee [28:07]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Who owns the bulk of stocks and bonds in our society? Here’s the—the 10% at the top own 80% of the stocks. This is an enormous tax exemption for people who qualify for it because they're rich enough to buy stocks and bonds, which most Americans aren't." – Richard Wolff [06:09]

• "[Eastern Germany]...report much higher levels of personal satisfaction with their relationships, both on a sort of emotional level as well as on an intimate level." – Kristen Ghodsee [21:35]

• "Socialist countries, very early on...tried to socialize domestic work...they all had very strong commitments to the socialization of childcare and housework as much as possible." – Kristen Ghodsee [23:40]

Highlights with Timestamps

• 00:10 – Introduction and the importance of addressing inequality
• 04:20 – Critique of borrowing vs. taxing to fund economic relief
• 06:09 – Tax loopholes favoring the wealthy (property vs. financial assets)
• 10:21 – The minimum wage’s stagnant level and implications
• 13:23 – Wage hikes and the myth of job loss
• 15:23 – Introduction of Prof. Kristen Ghodsee and book context
• 16:50 – Framing the post-Cold War “natural experiment”
• 21:35 – Empirical evidence: relationships and satisfaction in East vs. West Germany
• 23:40 – Domestic policy supports in socialist states
• 25:45 – The long-term impact of the end of socialism on women’s rights
• 28:07 – Call for nuanced, honest reassessment of socialist legacies

Conclusion

This episode challenges listeners to look critically at the economic system’s deep impact on everyday life—from wages and inequality to women’s rights and personal satisfaction. Professor Ghodsee encourages reconsidering what “socialism” has offered, particularly for women, and suggests that meaningful progress may depend on learning from the strengths—and weaknesses—of different models. Both host and guest urge honest, evidence-based dialogue beyond Cold War style binaries.