Description
Book SynopsisThis new book explores the interface between political philosophy and politics, looking at the effects of philosophical traditions on the contemporary relationship between women and politics.
Trade ReviewAn ambitious volume, a compact but sweeping survey of major figures in the history of political philosophy on the question of women's role in politics and society ... The book is intelligent and well written ... Sperling offers a compendium of major concepts in political theory and their authors, demonstrating the sources, both ancient and modern, of the exclusion of women from citizenship and political legitimacy. Sperling's motivating thought, that understanding the philosophical past can help empower women to take a greater part in the politics of the future, is surely a sound one ... Sperling's approach challenges us to find ways of dealing with an issue that is important for the future life not only of political philosophy, but maybe also of the planet and its inhabitants. An ambitious volume, a compact but sweeping survey of major figures in the history of political philosophy on the question of women's role in politics and society ... The book is intelligent and well written ... Sperling offers a compendium of major concepts in political theory and their authors, demonstrating the sources, both ancient and modern, of the exclusion of women from citizenship and political legitimacy. Sperling's motivating thought, that understanding the philosophical past can help empower women to take a greater part in the politics of the future, is surely a sound one ... Sperling's approach challenges us to find ways of dealing with an issue that is important for the future life not only of political philosophy, but maybe also of the planet and its inhabitants.
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements; Chapter 1: Women, Political Philosophy and Politics: Theory and Practice in Conflict?; Chapter 2: The State of Nature and the Origins of the Exclusionary State; Chapter 3: The State that Ends at the Front Door; Chapter 4: Citizenship and Representation: A Case of Protective Custody?; Chapter 5: Plato and Aristotle: Androcracy Incarnate; Chapter 6: Hobbes and Locke: Divine Right of Contract Man; Chapter 7: Rousseau: Education for the Common Good; Chapter 8: Mill, Marx and Engels: Equality and the Common Man; Chapter 9: Rawls and Nozick: Justice and Masculinised Politics; Chapter 10: Never Decreasing Circles: The Legacy of Political Philosophy; Bibliography; Index.
