The politics of production and social reproduction

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of economic production and social reproduction, focusing on how reproductive politics interact with the preferences of dominant producer coalitions. It critiques existing literature in comparative political economy for overlooking the essential role of social reproduction, which sustains the labour force and underpins economic growth. By examining Germany and Poland as case studies, it argues that social reproductive policies, shaped by electoral politics, gender norms and demographic concerns, can challenge established growth strategies. In Germany, the expansion of childcare and family policies since the 2000s has shifted the focus of care from private to public, a shift that was initially opposed by producers. In Poland, the Law and Justice party’s (PiS) ultraconservative family policies, including the 500 + programme, have simultaneously increased domestic consumption while exacerbating labour shortages, challenging the nation’s export-led growth model. The papers’ message for comparative political economy is to take reproductive politics on board when analysing continuity and change of existing growth models. Capitalist production relies on social reproduction, and while dominant producer groups can try to impose their preferences on social reproduction, reproductive politics can bite back.