Final Paper Topic Statement

Moe Myint Myat (1155165771)

Title: Understanding the Effects of Capitalism and Socialism on Gender

Inequality

In this paper, I aim to investigate the effects of capitalism and socialism on gender inequality through
comparative analysis.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the introduction of market-oriented reforms in China resulted in the
market transition from the state-planned market to a freer market. In addition to the economic
consequences of the reform, feminist scholars have raised skepticism as well as optimism regarding the
effects of the market transition on the progress towards gender equality. How the market affects gender
inequality has become one of the questions under the name of “The Women Question” although in recent
years, scholars have come to conclude that the root of gender equality is more complex than economic
systems: socialism and capitalism.

Despite such dismissal, I believe it is important to understand the effects of the existing systems so that
we are aware of the benefits and flaws of each system and how it affects us, identify the barriers that are
excluding women from reaching their full potential in the economy, and build up a more inclusive
system. By identifying the limitations imposed by the cultural, social and political factors, we can also
better understand to what extent the effects of each system are subject to these limitations.

I believe that this topic will help understand not only the effects of the economic systems on gender
inequality but also how other variables might amplify or limit those effects.