'Brilliantly rewrites the history of economic thought to place 'her story' at its heart - while
combining sharp analysis with piercing wit and deep care. A must-read' - Kate Raworth author
of DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS 'One of the most important feminist voices of the 21st century . . . The
book about capitalism we didn't know we needed' - Sofie Hagen In 2020 the prominent Danish
feminist Emma Holten read an article stating that women were a net 'deficit' to society. Women
took more than they gave 'draining' the public purse by giving birth and taking parental
leave. They contributed less than their fair share in taxes because they often worked
part-time to look after other people at home or held low-paid jobs in the public sector.
Denmark would be richer if women's lives looked more like men's the economic experts
concluded. A similar story is told around the globe. How did we get here? In Deficit Emma
Holten traces how economic thinkers - from the Enlightenment onwards - created a value
framework that overlooked and neglected 'women's work' and acts of care. She reveals how the
economic models that drive political decisions today are just as flawed giving us unparalleled
monetary wealth but causing deep social harms that are hurting us all. If we cannot properly
value the things that matter how can we build a better future?
