The Body Productive: Rethinking Capitalism, Work and the Body

The Body Productive explores the socio-economic mediation and ideological reproduction of the body under capitalism, challenging and overcoming these logics through an interdisciplinary approach.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Body Productive represents a groundbreaking and transformative perspective on the intricate connections between capitalism, labor, and the body. It is commonly perceived as a fundamental and inherent aspect of our existence, characterized by its apparent naturalness, biological nature, and self-evidence. Nevertheless, this supposedly direct facet of our being may actually serve as a primary arena for socio-economic mediation and ideological reproduction.

How are bodies produced within the framework of capitalism? Conversely, how does capitalism foster the productivity of bodies? How are the demands of production, consumption, and exchange shaping the body and its knowledge, and how can these logics be resisted, challenged, and overcome? These are the central inquiries at the core of The Body Productive, a groundbreaking collection of original and radical new approaches to the relationships between capitalism, work, and the body, brought together by an international group of scholars and activists. Drawing inspiration from the overlooked theoretical work of François Guéry and Didier Deleule, this book reimagines the intricate interplay between the biological and social, the body and the mind, power and knowledge, discipline and control.

The Body Productive offers a comprehensive exploration of these critical themes, challenging conventional understandings and offering fresh insights into the complex dynamics that shape our bodies and our relationships with the world. By delving into the intersections of biology, sociology, economics, and philosophy, this book provides a rich tapestry of perspectives and methodologies that shed light on the ways in which capitalism shapes and transforms the body.

Through a series of thought-provoking essays and case studies, The Body Productive explores the ways in which capitalism commodifies the body, perpetuating notions of individualism, consumerism, and competition. It examines the ways in which bodies are subjected to labor processes, often at the expense of their well-being and autonomy. It also explores the ways in which bodies are used as sites of production, consumption, and exchange, as well as the ways in which these processes shape our understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others.

Furthermore, The Body Productive examines the ways in which bodies are disciplined and controlled, both within the workplace and in broader societal contexts. It explores the ways in which power relations are established and reproduced through the body, as well as the strategies that individuals and communities employ to resist and challenge these power dynamics.

In conclusion, The Body Productive represents a groundbreaking and transformative contribution to the field of critical labor studies. By challenging the conventional understanding of the body as a passive object of capitalism, this book offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the ways in which capitalism shapes and transforms the body. Through a comprehensive exploration of the biological, social, economic, and political dimensions of the body, this book provides a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex relationships between capitalism, labor, and the body.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755639519