State - Essay Plan

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• Definitions - state and government in accomplices in upholding the patriarchy
• Themes - ‘The personal is political’ / The nature of society / Patriarchy
• Argument - there are a few broad agreement, however, feminists fundamentally disagree on the state’s nature and jurisdiction

Question 2

Agree - The Personal is Political
Point

Answer 2

Feminists agree that what happens in the public sphere is the concern of the government and state - something has to be done about it

Question 3

Disagree - The Personal is Political
Point

Answer 3

• Disagreement comes from the State’s jurisdiction in the private sphere
• Radical - Hanisch and Firestone do not recognise the distinction arguing that the personal is political

Question 4

Disagree - The Personal is Political
Example

Answer 4

• Liberal - Simone de Beauvoir supports the liberal notion that the state can grant opportunities within the public sphere, but it is ultimately the women’s decision to do as they wish in the private sphere
• Socialist - Sheila Rowbotham agrees with their assertion that the personal is political - they argue that power men have over women is not personal because it is an aspect of the wider patriarchy

Question 5

Agree - Nature of the State
Point

Answer 5

The nature of the state itself is patriarchal and therefore is a wider tool used to oppress and dominate women

Question 6

Agree - Nature of the State
Example

Answer 6

Simone de Beauvoir argues that the abolition of patriarchy will be achieved largely through state legislation in areas such as eduction, state-funded childcare and abortions

Question 7

Disagree - Nature of the State
Point

Answer 7

• Liberals - much more willing to work with the state to end the patriarchy gradually. Their arguement is that the government is part of the problem, but also part of the solution
• Radical - agree it has helped the feminist cause but see it as superficial

Question 8

Disagree - Nature of the State
Example

Answer 8

Radical - the reforms do not address the more fundamental problems of inequality which are deep rooted. The state is powerless, especially being a patriarchal instiution itself

Question 9

Agree - Patriarchy
Point

Answer 9

All strands understand that the state perpetuates the patriarchy including socialist feminists who have rejected that class is the only schism

Question 10

Disagree - Patriarchy
Point

Answer 10

• Majority argue that the role of the state is to abolish the patriarchy
• Socialist feminist argue that it is extreme modifications of capitalism that will liberate women

Question 11

Disagree - Patriarchy
Example

Answer 11

• Socialist - Sheila Rowbotham argues that the best hope for liberation of women lies in a socialist future
• Socialists therefore argue it is the role of the state to help implement socialism, for example, state-ownership of industry