Feminism State

Question 1

What do feminists think about the state?

Answer 1

• a shared sense that women have been badly served by governmental structures and policies, however it has not translated into a single set of solutions about how to address this problem

Question 2

What do liberal and moderate socialists think about feminism?

Answer 2

• liberals and moderate socialists have sought reforms that would eliminate discrimination and extend women’s rights
• liberal feminists have worked for for changes that would enshrine in law fair and equal treatment for women in all aspects of life. Initially, liberal feminists focused on reversing discrimination against women
• as time progressed, liberal feminists came to feel that the state needed to do more than extend equality of opportunity to women
• among the laws which liberal feminists in the Uk work to get onto the statue were those that criminalised rape in marriage

Question 3

What are radical and Marxist feminists view on the state?

Answer 3

• radical and Marxist feminists have advocated revolution to bring about wholesale change
• radical feminists are appreciative of the changes brought about by liberal feminist campaigns but radical feminists believe that liberals should have been bolder and more uncompromising

Question 4

What do socialists believe about the state?

Answer 4

• it is socialist feminists view that patriarchal capitalism emerged from, and is upheld by the state
• as long as that state exsists, genuine freedoms will be denied to most citizens.
• Marxist feminists have sought a revolution that will overthrow the state. In line with traditional Marxist thinking, they expect this to be followed by a short period of the proletariat
• other socialist feminists see an ongoing role for the state in defending citizens rights, and managing the means of production, distribution and exchange