9: Feminism
- Page ID
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This page is a draft and is under active development.
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Introduction to "A Late Modern Typology of Democratizing Feminisms"
Although the bulk of dominant Western political philosophy has been focused on the realization and conditions of equal citizenship, justice, and the ideal society, most of these conversations historically have focused on abstract concerns relating to the rights and freedoms of the individual or the primacy of the community. Much of the classic literature remained silent on or inadequately dealt with the kinds of exclusions that pertain to the diverse complexities of differences constitutive of a given bodypolitik, be they related to conceptions of sex/gender, heterosexuality, race/ethnocultural identity, indigeneity, nationality, age or physical/mental ability, to name just a few. Over the past three hundred years, critical feminist theorists have explored and theorized the boundaries of equality and difference, with increasing attention being given to the multiple contexts, meanings and influences complicating their conceptual and practical relationships as well as their intersection with issues of identity, subjectivity, representation, and democratic citizenship as a concept and as a practice that plays out through democratic institutions and other public bodies.
In this chapter, I will trace a typology of the different variants of critical feminist theories of emancipation, feminisms plural, or what I understand to be the pivotal expression and intellectual contributions throughout history of women’s democratic thought leadership. I begin by introducing Squires’ (1999) typology of feminist thought and then build upon this framework to offer an extended typology that augments our conceptualization to take into account a more nuanced differentiation of key variants of contemporary feminisms. Distinct from post-modern forms of diversity feminism that reject and abandon political and legal categories as oppressive, I add a fourth variant of what I call “intersectional feminisms” that aim to displace outdated status-based categories through the reconstruction of new emancipatory legal norms and democratic practices.. Further, a fifth variant of civil republican intersectional feminism aim at a displacement of liberal individualism itself and the impoverished framing of “liberty” in late modern times. Rather, this last variant aims for a holistic reconstruction of the interdependence of public and personal liberty through the emancipatory promise of self-government and radically representative democratic politics. These latter, intersectional feminisms bring a renewed faith in the ethical promise of self-government, the rule of law and self-government as a system of government, as well as representative democratic citizenship as an emancipatory system of freedom and intersectionally diverse self-determination capable of sustaining democratic equality for all components parts of the political community.
AI generated
This text presents a comprehensive typology of feminist political thought, tracing its evolution from early struggles for formal equality to modern intersectional and republican frameworks. The author examines how different branches of feminism address the tension between gender neutrality and the celebration of feminine differences. While postmodern feminism seeks to deconstruct the very categories of sex and gender, reconstructivist intersectional feminisms focus on reforming legal and political institutions to better reflect the diverse lived experiences of all people. The source specifically advocates for radical representation and electoral reforms, such as gender quotas, to dismantle historical hierarchies within democratic systems. Ultimately, the text argues for a civic republican model where self-government is defined by collective power-sharing rather than mere individualist liberty.
- Explain the role of feminism in politics.
- Discuss the typology of feminisms.
- Assess what can be done to make institutions more intersectionally inclusive.
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Based on the source material provided, here are five learning objectives for "A Late Modern Typology of Democratizing Feminisms":
- Differentiate between the five core variants of feminist thought presented in the late modern typology, identifying the unique epistemological foundations and goals of equality, difference, postmodern diversity, reconstructivist intersectional, and civic republican intersectional feminisms.
- Analyze the shift in feminist strategies for social transformation, from early "equality politics" seeking inclusion in existing neutral structures to contemporary "displacement politics" that aim to deconstruct gender binaries and reconstruct political-legal categories.
- Evaluate the role of intersectionality in addressing the historical internal exclusions within feminist movements and explain how it serves as a reconstructive tool for centering the diverse experiences of "womxn" in law and policy.
- Examine the critique of liberal individualism offered by civic republican intersectional feminism and describe its proposed alternative of "relational liberty" as a collective praxis of self-government and power-sharing.
- Assess the proposed institutional reforms, such as intersectional electoral quotas and the reconstruction of parliaments, intended to dismantle anti-democratic hegemonies and realize the promise of radically representative democratic politics.
- 9.1: Typology of Feminisms
- This section introduces Judith Squires’ framework, which categorizes feminist thought based on three core approaches: objectivity (universal values), interpretation (community values), and genealogy (deconstructing power) . These orientations correspond to three political strategies: equality politics (inclusion), difference politics (affirming the feminine), and diversity politics (deconstructing binaries).
- 9.2: Equality Politics Through Liberal Feminisms
- Liberal feminism seeks the inclusion of women into existing political structures by asserting that these structures are, or should be, gender-neutral . It distinguishes between biological sex and socially constructed gender, aiming to prove women are rational, autonomous individuals on par with men . However, the author notes that this quest for "neutrality" often results in practices that mirror male dominance.
- 9.3: Difference Politics Through Maternal/Radical Feminisms
- Rejecting the "male model" of individuality, this variant celebrates feminine differences and traits—such as nurturing and emotionality—as societal strengths . It aims to re-value women's distinct perspectives and social roles to re-order the political sphere . Critics argue this can inadvertently reinforce traditional gender divisions and stereotypes rather than achieving true equivalence.
- 9.4: Diversity Politics Through Postmodern Feminisms
- Postmodern feminism employs a strategy of displacement to challenge the very categories of sex and gender as foundations of human identity . It views gender as a political category constructed through discourse and power rather than a biological reality . The goal is to deconstruct hegemonic "norms" that marginalize diverse bodies and justify their exclusion from power.
- 9.5: Diversity Politics Through Reconstructivist Intersectional Feminisms
- This strand critiques mainstream feminisms for their internal exclusions of women of color, indigenous women, and other marginalized groups . Unlike postmodernism, which may abandon the category of "women," reconstructivist intersectionality re-centers the diverse experiences of "womxn" to rebuild intersectional political and legal categories for mobilization.
- 9.6: Displacement Through Feminist Reconstruction of Diverse Legal Norms
- Emerging from legal theory and critical race studies, this strategy uses intersectionality to dismantle narrow legal interpretations of rights . It works to displace the white, middle-class woman as the "norm" in activism and policy, instead focusing on the interlocking systems of oppression that define diverse women’s lives.
- 9.7: Displacement Through Feminist Reconstruction of Diverse Parliaments
- This approach aims to displace the "abstract political representative" by advocating for electoral gender quotas and power-sharing designs . By legally or voluntarily diversifying elected officials, these feminists seek to end patriarchal gatekeeping and ensure that legislation is responsive to an intersectionally diverse population.
- 9.8: Civic Republican Intersectional Feminism
- This variant merges intersectionality with civic republicanism to reconstruct representative democracy as an ethical practice of power-sharing . It shifts the focus toward "relational liberty," where political representation is seen as a collective act of self-determination for all diverse corporealities within a community.
- 9.9: Displacement of Individualist Liberty Through Feminist Republican Reconstruction of Intersectional Political Liberty
- The author advocates for a rejection of hyper-individualist liberal liberty, which is often defined merely as the absence of government interference . In its place, this model proposes legal power-sharing mechanisms to break up nepotistic hegemonies and normalize diverse bodies as ethical representatives, transforming democracy into a system of collective self-government.
- 9.10: Conclusion
- The chapter concludes by summarizing the evolution from Squires’ archetypal "equality" and "difference" politics to contemporary strategies of displacement . The author emphasizes that these new variants offer a path toward a radically representative democratic politics grounded in co-authority, power-sharing, and intersectional self-determination.
Attribution
Dr. Jackie F. Steele, "A Late Modern Typology of Democratizing Feminisms," CC By-NC 4.0.