Week 11: Feminist Critique of Liberalism

The idea that liberalism, while promoting political equality, often fails to address and resolve existing social inequalities.

Charles Mills' argument that the social contract, a foundational principle of liberalism, was actually a racial contract that explicitly excluded people of color from full citizenship and rights.

Mills' critique that liberalism's emphasis on individual rights fails to address the systemic racism that persists in liberal societies.

Mills' proposal that we should analyze liberalism through the lens of its real-world outcomes, rather than its idealized principles, to understand its impact on racial equality.

Brewer's argument that liberalism's rejection of hereditary status (like nobility) doesn't necessarily guarantee equality for all, as it doesn't directly address other forms of ascriptive hierarchy, like those based on sex, race, or economic status.

The argument that liberalism's emphasis on individual rights and property rights can actually hinder equality and perpetuate systemic injustice.

The role of social movements and collective action in challenging and overcoming systemic inequalities and advocating for rights recognition under liberal frameworks.

Liberal principles like equality, consent of the governed, and individual rights provide a foundation for making rights claims and challenging existing power structures.

The idea that all people should be treated equally, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or any other personal characteristic.

A situation where certain groups, often women, are disproportionately burdened with caring responsibilities, leading to limited access to resources and opportunities.

A pattern of behavior where someone denies responsibility, attacks their accuser, and reverses the roles of victim and perpetrator.

The principle that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of care as a fundamental human need.

The idea that democracy is incomplete if it fails to address the unequal burdens of care and ensure equal access to citizenship and participation for all.

The idea that society is made up of independent individuals, and that the government's role is to protect these individuals' rights.

A critique of liberal thought that argues women have been systematically excluded from the benefits of liberalism, due to assumptions about their rationality and role in society.

The division of society into two spheres: the public sphere of politics and work, and the private sphere of home and family.

The feminist critique of the public-private split argues that the 'private' sphere is not immune to power relations, particularly those impacting women. It criticizes the idea that the private sphere is natural or separate from the public sphere.

The early liberal idea that humans are inherently rational, free, and equal, and that legitimate government requires consent.

This critique points out that historically, women have been excluded from the benefits of liberal thought due to assumptions that they are not rational or capable of participating in the public sphere, hindering their opportunities for equality.

This argues that people are fundamentally relational, rather than autonomous, meaning their lives and opportunities are shaped by social structures, challenging the core idea of liberal individualism.

This theory argues that women's experiences, needs, and values are often marginalized by traditional liberal approaches, suggesting the need for a more inclusive and intersectional understanding of justice and equality.

A central value for a caring democracy, this concept emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing everyone's need for care. It rejects the idea that care is solely a private matter.

This theory posits that the foundational agreement of society (social contract) is built on the subjugation of women, disguised as a contract among men. This subjugation is seen as essential for the maintenance of society.

This process involves recognizing a need for care, whether it's physical, emotional, or social. It requires attentiveness and the ability to see from the perspective of the one in need.

Taking responsibility for ensuring the needs of the person in need are met. This involves actively working to provide the care necessary.

The actual work of providing care, which can involve a variety of activities depending on the needs of the individual.

The individual who receives the care. This process involves more than simply receiving but also responding to the care provided and allowing the caregiver to understand how the care is affecting them.

This perspective emphasizes the importance of considering the needs of the person receiving care in the context of broader social, political, and ethical issues. It seeks to ensure that caregiving practices are just and equitable for everyone.

This refers to the qualities that make care both ethical and effective, such as attentiveness, responsibility, competence, responsiveness, trust, and communication.

The concept of care encompasses all actions we undertake to maintain and improve our world, including ourselves, our bodies, and our environment. It emphasizes interconnectedness and responsibility.

This critique challenges the traditional social contract by highlighting the power dynamics that exist within the family, particularly the power of men over women. The critique sees women as being subordinated, even in Locke's thought, despite his anti-patriarchal views.