The Care Manifesto was an excellent introduction to the politics of care. The concept of care was not something I had ever considered inherently political, but the manifesto certainly set me straight. It begins by discussing why society devalues care work: "Care has long been devalued due, in large part, to its association with women, the feminine, and what have been seen as 'unproductive' caring professions." In a society structured by men, it’s no surprise that care has been so devalued and remains among the lowest-paid and least prestigious occupations, especially in Western societies.

The Care Manifesto denounces neoliberal capitalism as essentially poisonous to a caring society. In an age where corporations seem to have more rights than people, and where production and profit are prioritized above all else, we witness the "dismantling of welfare states and democratic processes and institutions" and the rise of a society built on "competitive self-enhancement." Within this model, people are more likely to care only for themselves and those “like” them. But The Care Manifesto challenges the idea that this is the only way.

Drawing significantly from Indigenous wisdom and African American communities, the manifesto proposes a new way of living—promiscuous care—in which everyone cares for everyone and everything. Based on the idea that all life has intrinsic value, it envisions a society no longer confined to caring only for the nuclear group, but rather one where everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect, where all are cared for, and where the earth is treated with reverence.

This book serves as a concise guide to the politics of care and explores why neoliberal governments are so opposed to (and have arguably poisoned the term) “welfare states,” where each citizen’s basic needs are met. It discusses the benefits of a more caring society and offers surface-level examples of how a care-state could function, from economic to social spheres. More importantly, it outlines what is likely to happen if we don’t work toward these changes.

I highly recommend this book to literally anyone and everyone. The language was a bit dense at times, so for such a short book it took me longer to read than I expected—but the journey was well worth it.