The Return of Feminist Liberalism

by Ruth Abbey

Overview

While it is uncontroversial to point to the liberal roots of feminism, a major issue in English-language feminist political thought over the last few decades has been whether feminism's association with liberalism should be relegated to the past. Can liberalism continue to serve feminist purposes? This book examines the positions of three contemporary feminists - Martha Nussbaum, Susan Moller Okin and Jean Hampton - who, notwithstanding decades of feminist critique, are unwilling to give up on liberalism. This book examines why, and in what ways, each of these theorists believes that liberalism offers the normative and political resources for the improvement of women's situations. It also brings out and tries to explain and evaluate the differences among them, notwithstanding their shared allegiance to liberalism. In so doing, the books goes to the heart of recent debates in feminist and political theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780773539167
Publisher:	McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date:	07/20/2011
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Ruth Abbey is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Abbreviations ix

Introduction: the return of feminist liberalism 1

1 The feminist critique of liberalism 10

I The feminist liberalism of Susan Moller Okin

2 Injustices, gender, families 22

3 Defining Okin's liberalism 42

4 He said, she said: the Okin-Rawls debate 61

5 When liberal meanings are not shared 83

6 Going global 103

II The feminist liberalism of Jean Hampton

7 Contracting for feminism 120

8 Kantian feminism 134

III The feminist liberalism of Martha Nussbaum

9 An original position 152

10 What women want 165

11 Capabilities for care 188

IV Contemporary feminist liberalism

12 In the company of critics: feminist liberalism meets feminist critics of liberalism 208

13 Persuasive universalism and political liberalism 226

14 Transformative liberalisms 248

Conclusion 266

Notes 277

Bibliography 307

Index 321

Editorial Reviews

"A meticulously researched, thoughtful, and clearly written discussion of crucial developments in feminist liberal theory over the past fifty years. A tremendously valuable contribution to feminist theory." Molly Shanley, Vassar College


"It is likely to become the go-to resource for scholars and students interested in liberal feminism, or feminist liberalism." Amy Baehr, Hofstra University, New York


"A very useful and scholarly work that engages with one of the continuing and most important debates in contemporary feminist theory." Anne Phillips, London School of Economics

From the Publisher