Location
Cultural & Social Challenges
Level of Education
Undergraduate
Keywords
Feminism, Social Contract, Women’s Rights, Contract Theory, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Political Theory
Presenter Names and Speeches.
Grace Albertson
Abstract
This paper seeks to prove the value placed on women in society, and disprove the claim that the social contract is inherently patriarchal. Radical feminists claim that society as a whole is irreparably flawed and operates patriarchally. Therefore, they call for a systematic shift and condemn the current fabric of our society and nation. The social contract, an idea centered around the philosophical works of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes served as the primary way that the founders of the United States justified the formation of American democracy and had immense influence on American political thought. However, feminists seek to dismantle this idea by claiming that the social contract is inherently anti-women and excludes women from full and equal participation in society. Using qualitative research methods and thorough analysis of the writings of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacque Rousseau, as well as critical analysis of the major feminist arguments which condemn the social contract as being inherently patriarchal, this study ultimately concluded that society and American politics have evolved to embrace women as a bigger part of politics and the workforce. Upon examination of historical documents including the Bible, the study revealed that women have always been considered valued members of society with their own unique, but important functions. In conclusion, the study found there to be no necessity for a systematic restructuring in the favor of women, as radical feminist ideology suggests.
The Social Contract and Feminism
Cultural & Social Challenges
This paper seeks to prove the value placed on women in society, and disprove the claim that the social contract is inherently patriarchal. Radical feminists claim that society as a whole is irreparably flawed and operates patriarchally. Therefore, they call for a systematic shift and condemn the current fabric of our society and nation. The social contract, an idea centered around the philosophical works of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes served as the primary way that the founders of the United States justified the formation of American democracy and had immense influence on American political thought. However, feminists seek to dismantle this idea by claiming that the social contract is inherently anti-women and excludes women from full and equal participation in society. Using qualitative research methods and thorough analysis of the writings of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacque Rousseau, as well as critical analysis of the major feminist arguments which condemn the social contract as being inherently patriarchal, this study ultimately concluded that society and American politics have evolved to embrace women as a bigger part of politics and the workforce. Upon examination of historical documents including the Bible, the study revealed that women have always been considered valued members of society with their own unique, but important functions. In conclusion, the study found there to be no necessity for a systematic restructuring in the favor of women, as radical feminist ideology suggests.
