Key Themes

Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 18.1.5

There are many themes which underpin and link with feminism.

A majority of feminists believe differences between men and women are minimal so gender equality must be the goal.
A minority of difference feminists believe the biological/psychological differences are significant - so women should pursue a separate course, apart from men.

Whether there are significant innate differences between men and women is a continuing debate, which divides both feminists and non-feminists.
Still, most feminists believe gender is a social construct, which must be addressed and can be removed to liberate women from traditional roles.

Liberals believe it has a key role in promoting and legislating for gender equality, though radical feminists argue this is insufficient alone in overthrowing patriarchy.
Marxist feminists see it as an instrument of class rule and postmodern thinkers, like bell hooks, see the modern state as a legacy of white imperialist rule.

Most feminists view the state as a potential force for good, capable of taking stronger action to reduce gender inequality and address the ongoing sexual abuse of women worldwide.
Radical feminists would go much further than liberal feminists in preventing oppression, and socialist feminists see it as part of an exploitative capitalist system.

More Key Themes

There are many themes which underpin and link with feminism.

All feminists argue women are treated unequally in society.
Liberal feminists focus on the public sphere, whilst radical feminists focus on the private sphere.
Post-modern feminists now see society as more complex than gender divisions.
Difference feminists see a separate course for women in society, free from male dominance and power, whilst egalitarian feminists want to see gender divisions removed at home and in wider society.

Early socialist feminists see this as the main cause of female oppression as women are particularly exploited under capitalism.
Modern socialists believe the economy and society work together, with patriarchal power a key factor too.
All feminists want to see all women as economically independent and to see unjustifiable material inequalities end, though often disagree about how this can be best achieved from more reformist liberal views to more revolutionary socialist perspectives.

What role do liberal feminists think the state can play?
Which feminists might believe that women should pursue a different course to men due to their human nature?
Which of the following refer to the theme of the economy in feminism?
What do radical feminists say about society?