The most important aspect of women's solidarity (and in general any group solidarity) is the creation of a common economic space. We can see the way it works on the example of men. This was probably their main tool in building the patriarchy, and not physical strength at all.

This model can be described in a simplified way as follows: members of a solidarized group, receiving resources outside of it, then distribute them among other members of the group. Thus, resources only come, the group as a whole becomes richer and can increase its influence.

This is exactly what men do when they take away resources from us, through enslavement or profitable deals for themselves. The second is more of a characteristic of liberal countries, where equality has been legally achieved and patriarchy is maintained through the information processing of women. So what are these good deals for men (and bad for women)?

Firstly, this is marriage and relationships in general, in the vast majority of cases a woman gives much more than receives. She gives the resources of her body to create offspring, her time and energy to perform domestic, emotional, sexual services, she also invests her earnings and property in the well-being of her spouse, helps him in his work, etc. What is this clearly unprofitable for women deal based on? Firstly, on the fact that the social status of a woman depends on whether she has a relationship (and social status opens up additional opportunities). Secondly, on the fact that men do not agree to a different kind of relationship where they give more or at least on an equal footing. We'll talk about what to do with the institution of marriage another time.

Secondly, it is the purchase of women's time for a small fee in the labor market. Men take other men to well-paid positions, and leave service jobs for women, where woman invests a lot and gets a penny. Men make mutually beneficial deals with other men, buy from men, consume content created by men. This is also a manifestation of male economic solidarity.

We need to do roughly the same thing, as this is a very efficient scheme. It will be possible to talk about the victory of feminism over patriarchy when women start buying from women, knowing that they, in turn, will buy from women. It will be a cyclical system, from which resources no longer exit, but only arrive. At the same time, women should not be afraid to sell something to men – goods, services or their work. On the contrary, we cannot go without it, because more than 90% of the world's finances belong to them, and we need to get them back somehow. Economic solidarity is the most accessible of the legal methods.

It is important to understand that economic solidarity is not equal to economic separation. If we completely separate and do not deal with men, then we will be left with the same 5% of resources that will not grow. In general, "sell them everything you can, but do not buy anything from them" (c). Yes, at first it will be difficult for us to conclude deals on favorable terms for ourselves, but as the solidarity of women grows, they will no longer be able to impose unfavorable conditions on us, because we, as a group, will have our own resources, and we will not have deal with the hardest work for nothing.

What can be done right now? Try to buy goods / services from feminists, especially those who show the most solidarity (radical, separatist, etc.), so it is more likely that the finances will remain with the women's group. Try to sell your work as profitably as possible (work as little as possible, earn as much as possible) if you work for men. And, of course, spread the idea that women should be chosen (when hiring, choosing a product / service).

Again, do not rise it to an absolute, evaluate the ratio of costs and benefits. Consider the situation, the most important thing is that you keep this goal in focus - the enrichment of women as a group. For example, if you have the opportunity to hire a man for a low-paid position and get more benefit from him than costs, then you should do it, and not impose unfavorable conditions on a woman. Or if you can buy goods from him at an obvious low price, then you should do it, because he will not receive much benefit, but you will. However, you should understand that men rarely do this, because they generally have more opportunities to earn money, so this is more of an exception.


Author: Philosopher's Stone of Artémis
Translator: Yuloa N.