The Return of Feminist Liberalism

By Ruth Abbey and Ruth Abbey

Book Overview

A central issue in feminist political theory in recent decades has been whether liberalism can continue to serve feminist purposes in gaining the reforms needed for women to lead fuller and freer lives or if feminism's association with liberalism should be relegated to the past. In The Return of Feminist Liberalism Ruth Abbey examines the work 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. Abbey examines why, and in what ways, each of these theorists believes that liberalism offers the normative and political resources, for improving women's lives. Going beyond their shared allegiance to liberalism, Abbey explains and evaluates their theoretical differences and in so doing goes to the heart of debates in feminist and political theory, including the sexual, contract, public/domestic separations, structures of power, intersectionality, care, and dependency. Even-handed and measured, The Return of Feminist Liberalism offers new insights into the tension between feminism and Rawlsian liberalism and will be welcomed by a wide range of readers in political theory, political philosophy, gender studies, and feminist theory. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0773539166
• ISBN13: 9780773539167
• Release Date: July 2011
• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.1"