Description
Book SynopsisThe essays in Feminist Politics contest some of the prevailing conceptualizations of identity and difference, as well as the functions of these concepts in feminist political discourse and praxis. Doing so, they amply demonstrate that issues of identity and difference have a central place in contemporary feminist scholarship. The authors of these essays have worked to develop new ways of understanding and living out differences which will both preserve and celebrate them while also fostering the necessary conditions for opening dialogue and forming new coalitions. The intent of these efforts has been to thereby engender imaginative new strategies for the personal, spiritual, and sociopolitical changes that will enable human growth, wellbeing, and flourishing. While the focus of the work represented here is understandably on women, the issues that are raised are given additional urgency, explicitly in some of the papers and implicitly in others, by the situation of their concerns in the
Trade ReviewIn this exciting and diverse collection, the editors bring together international perspectives on feminist problems both philosophical and practical. From feminism's links to Buddhism, to third-wave activism, to women and militarism, contributors take up novel examples and work them through with philosophical acumen and political vigor. Refreshing, smart, and spirited, this collection will be an invaluable teaching tool and scholarly resource for feminists, philosophers, and everyone in between. -- Cressida J. Heyes, Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Gender and Sexuality, University of Alberta
The breadth of this volume is both its strength and a shortcoming....The chapters are consistently thought-provoking and timely, and the book as a whole challenges us to recognize the complexity of contemporary feminist theorizing and the pressing need for libreratory praxis. -- . * APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy, Spring 2008, Vol 7, No 2 *
Exceptionally brilliant philosophical interpretation of feminist politics.... Critical but refreshing insights.... Outstanding scholarly work on identity and feminist politics. -- J. Shola Omotola * Journal Of Men, Masculinities and Spirituality, January 2009, Vol 3, No 1 *
Feminist Politics addresses two issues that are on the forefront of contemporary feminist theory and practice: identity and political divisions. The contributors' analyses of these issues, as well as the related topics of globalization, intersectionality, third wave feminism and many others, is rich and highly-nuanced, due in large part to the international scope of the collection. The authors provide a unique and insightful perspective that fills a gap in feminist discussions. -- Susan Hekman, University of Texas, Arlington
Table of ContentsPart 1 Reconceptualizing Challenges to Entrenched Political Divides Chapter 2 Introduction to Identities and Differences Chapter 3 The Mind/Body Paradigm Crisis And A New Paradigm for Feminism Chapter 4 Who's Afraid of Nature? The Rise and Fall of "Denaturalization" in Contemporary Feminist Thought Chapter 5 "L'intersectionalité": Feminisms in a Divided World Chapter 6 Feminism Under Fire Chapter 7 When Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Third Wave Cultural Engagement As Political Action Chapter 8 My Once and Future Self Part 9 Putting Identity Back into Politics Chapter 10 Keeping Authenticity in Play - or Being Naughty to be Good Chapter 11 Locating Traitorous Identities: De-Scribing Whiteness Chapter 12 Mobility-Unlimitation-Acceleration: General Views and Feminist Interventions Chapter 13 Place, Movement, and Identity: Rethinking Empowerment Chapter 14 Theorizing Identities as Mutually Constitutive: A Critical Reading of Spelman, Aristotle, and Jewish Law Chapter 15 Feminist Politics and Feminist Pluralism: Can We Do Feminist Political Theory Without Theories of Gender? Chapter 16 Arendt, Foucault, and Feminist Politics: A Critical Reappraisal
