Paper short abstract:

The paper examines the oppressive power relations (re)produced in housing systems for cows exploited for their milk. Since more 'humane' environments are associated with profitability as the key axiom of new capitalism, vegan animal sanctuaries liberate cows from exploitative conditions.

Paper long abstract:

The paper examines the oppressive power relations (re)produced in housing systems for cows exploited for the milk they produce. Around the world cows raised for milk, in speciesist language devalued as 'diary' cows, are kept in different housing systems and herd sizes ranging from just a few to thousands. I argue that all those spaces presuppose hierarchical relations and exercise power in a form of economic exploitation which always involves the use of force, since the reproductive capacity of cows is manipulated for human needs and »their milk, naturally intended for their calves, is turned into profit« (Nibert 2016: 74). I support this claim by critically examining the way power is figured in texts about housing systems for enslaved and exploited cows. I compare the texts about the most oppressive housing system which completely deprive cows of freedom of movement, ie. tied housing, with the texts about 'better' built environment in the so called loose housing. I suggest 'better' is defined in terms of capitalist goals, such as the production cost of milk. New capitalism is practiced in using language to accentuate 'better conditions' to soften or conceal the working of power. The paper exposes the only existing alternative to oppressive relations, ie. farmed animal sanctuaries, where cows are liberated from exploitative conditions, and consider these spaces as an integral part of vegan practice.