The Influence of Feminist Knowledge Production on Economic Governance in Spain

Feminist scholarship has extensively documented the gendered impacts of economic downturns and their neoliberal policy responses. Extending beyond the analysis of outcomes, feminist political economy also critiques the knowledge production that underpins mainstream economic governance. This paper examines the integration of feminist perspectives into economic policymaking in Spain, focusing on two extensively debated labor market reforms enacted during the Great Recession (2012) and the Covid-19 pandemic (2021). The paper draws on interviews with key stakeholders, including politicians, bureaucrats, trade union representatives, and employer organizations at various levels of government. It is further informed by an analysis of relevant policy documents and legislative texts. The findings reveal a shift towards the greater incorporation of feminist economics within Spanish policy realms. I suggest that this shift may be understood as a productive political development emerging out of a prolonged period of economic challenges. The study thereby underscores the evolving influence of feminist knowledge on the practices of economic governance and its potential for engendering equitable policy transformations.