Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?: A Story of Women and Economics

Written by Katrine Marçal

Narrated by Laura Jennings

This exploration charts the myth of the economic man—from its creation to its role in the 2008 Global Financial Crisis—in a witty dismantling of one of the biggest myths.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781666560824

Katrine Marçal

Katrine Marcal is the lead editorial writer for the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, where she writes articles on Swedish and international politics, economics and feminism. For her book Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?, she was shortlisted for the August Prize and won the Lagercrantzen Award. She lives in London.

Reviews for Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?

[Jennifer Lambert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everyone should read this, it is a call to come home and make a life in the world

[moranismarla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Giving birth to children, raising them, cultivating the garden, cooking for the siblings, milking the family cow, sewing their clothes, or taking care of Adam Smith so that he could write The Wealth of Nations; none of this is considered 'productive work' in standard economic models."

Who made dinner for Adam Smith?

A reading that reveals how domestic work, despite not being recognized as part of economic development, has been a fundamental pillar for man, in the strict sense, to develop professionally over the years.

Starting from the premise that by meeting men's basic needs, women allow them to devote their time solely to their work activities, contributing to economic development.

Even the father of modern economics, Adam Smith, was able to carry out his work, theses, and theories thanks to the domestic attention of a woman, his mother.

All these brilliant and not-so-brilliant men, from the past and present, would possibly have had or would have greater difficulty doing their work without the support of someone taking care of everything necessary regarding their personal care. All these tasks that to this day do not count in GDP, which are at zero level within economic systems, invisible tasks traditionally performed by women, tasks considered non-essential for the economy. There are no women who come from their husbands' salaries; there are women who have been a bridge for men to transcend in the professional realm. The phrase "housewife" needs to be redefined, the word "dependent" needs to be reconsidered, and it should be made clear who profits from whom. (Translated from Spanish)

[Maripao · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A brief review of the economic theories that have been used in the West since the 19th century, with a gender perspective. An interesting view and very easy to read, inviting reflection in each chapter about what kind of economy we want and how it affects our daily lives. (Translated from Spanish)