FEMINISM – Political Theory Perspective
Gender • Patriarchy • Equality • Justice • Liberation
1️⃣ WHAT IS FEMINISM?
Feminism is a political and intellectual movement aimed at ending gender-based oppression.
Core belief: Patriarchy structures society in ways that disadvantage women.
- Challenges male dominance
- Questions traditional family roles
- Seeks gender equality
- Critiques state, law and economy
2️⃣ CORE CONCEPTS
🔹 Patriarchy
System of male dominance in social, economic and political spheres.
🔹 Public vs Private Divide
Traditional theory ignores domestic sphere. Feminism politicizes the private sphere.
🔹 Gender vs Sex
Sex = biological difference Gender = socially constructed roles
3️⃣ WAVES OF FEMINISM
🌊 First Wave
- Voting rights
- Legal equality
🌊 Second Wave
- Workplace equality
- Reproductive rights
- Domestic violence
🌊 Third Wave
- Identity politics
- Intersectionality
- Critique of universal womanhood
4️⃣ TYPES OF FEMINISM
🟣 Liberal Feminism
Focuses on legal reforms and equal opportunities.
🟣 Marxist Feminism
Women’s oppression rooted in capitalism and private property.
🟣 Radical Feminism
Patriarchy is the primary structure of domination.
🟣 Socialist Feminism
Combines Marxism and feminism.
🟣 Postmodern Feminism
Questions fixed categories of gender.
5️⃣ FEMINISM & STATE
- Is the state neutral?
- Does law protect women effectively?
- Need for affirmative action?
Feminism redefines citizenship and democracy.
6️⃣ FEMINISM IN INDIA
- Reservation debates
- Personal law reforms
- Triple talaq issue
- Women’s political participation
7️⃣ CRITICISMS
- Western bias
- Over-generalization
- Conflict with cultural traditions
📝 UPSC MAINS QUESTIONS
- Discuss the public-private dichotomy in feminist theory.
- Is liberal feminism sufficient to address gender inequality?
- Critically examine Marxist feminism.
- How does feminism redefine justice?
📌 QUICK REVISION MAP
- Core → Gender justice
- Enemy → Patriarchy
- Focus → Equality in public + private
- Indian angle → Representation & reform
Feminism does not ask for superiority — It asks for structural justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment