Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism summary
Kristen Ghodsee
And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
31 mins
Brief summary
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen Ghodsee is a thought-provoking book that explores how socialist policies can help create gender equality and better conditions for women, leading to happier and more fulfilling sexual experiences.
Table of Contents
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
Summary of 11 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 11
“Socialism” can mean state socialism or democratic socialism, and we can learn from one while aiming for the other.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “socialism?” Is it a nightmarish, totalitarian regime, like something out of a dystopian novel? An imaginary utopia where everyone is free and happy? A Cold War-era state like East Germany? Or a present-day country like Denmark?
The word “socialism” can refer to all of these things and more, so before we dive into an argument in favor of it, let’s first clarify what we mean by it.
The key message here is: “Socialism” can mean state socialism or democratic socialism, and we can learn from one while aiming for the other.
People can dream up any society they want and call it “socialist,” but as far as real socialist societies go, these have historically come in two basic varieties. First up, we have state socialism. The most obvious examples are the USSR and the other Eastern and Central European countries that identified themselves as “Communist” states during the Cold War. Collectively known as the Eastern Bloc, they included Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and East Germany.
While they differed in many ways and evolved over time, these societies shared some key traits. Each of them was a one-party, authoritarian state that limited people’s political freedom and controlled the economy through state-run enterprises and top-down economic planning.
In contrast, there’s democratic socialism, which we can see at work in the contemporary Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. Unlike state socialism, these countries have democratic governments, with multiple political parties competing in free and fair elections. Not only do they respect their citizens’ political rights, but they go even further by trying to ensure that everyone enjoys a decent standard of living. To do that, they have generous social welfare systems, which help people meet their needs in areas such as housing, healthcare, and education.
The argument we’re going to be looking at is essentially advocating for democratic socialism, not state socialism. That being said, there are also many lessons we can learn from the latter.
Yes, the USSR and Eastern Bloc countries had many shortcomings, and they did many horrible things: labor camps, secret police, food shortages, you name it. But, as we’ll see, they also had some positive aspects, especially in the area of advancing women’s rights. In designing policies for the future of our own societies, we can take the good things from state socialism while leaving behind the bad.
Want to see all full key ideas from Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
Key ideas in Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism about?
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism (2018) makes an argument that’s even more provocative than its title suggests. More than just better sex, it claims that women have better lives in general under socialism. To prove this claim, it compares and contrasts women’s lives under state socialism, democratic socialism, and neoliberal capitalism.
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism Review
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism (2018) is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between socialism and sexual liberation. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- This book offers a fresh perspective on socialism, unraveling the ways it can positively impact women's sexuality and overall well-being.
- It combines research-backed arguments and personal anecdotes to present a compelling case, informing readers about the potential benefits of socialism for women.
- Challenging conventional wisdom, this book stimulates critical thinking and fosters intriguing discussions about gender equality and social systems.
Who should read Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
- Socialists wanting ammunition for their next argument
- Capitalists wanting food for thought
- Women and men wanting a fresh take on gender equality
Categories with Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
Book summaries like Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism FAQs
What is the main message of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
The main message of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism is that gender equality and economic security contribute to fulfilling and satisfying relationships.
How long does it take to read Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
The reading time for Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism a good book? Is it worth reading?
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional notions of gender and offers a compelling argument for social equality. It is worth reading for anyone interested in exploring alternative perspectives on relationships and societal structures.
Who is the author of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
The author of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism is Kristen Ghodsee.
What to read after Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?
If you're wondering what to read next after Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Dollars and Sex by Marina Adshade
- She Comes First by Ian Kerner
- The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
- The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
- A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin
- The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
- Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku
- Needy by Mara Glatzel
- The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir
- Quiet by Susan Cain