Engendering modernity : feminism, social theory and social change

Bibliographic Information

Engendering modernity : feminism, social theory and social change

Barbara L. Marshall

Polity Press, 1994

  • : hbk
  • : pbk

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Note

Bibliography: p. [168]-192

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: hbk ISBN 9780745609270

Description

This text examines the debates around modernity and postmodernity from the viewpoint of feminist theory. Marshall argues that, despite the differences between classical debates about modernity and the more recent controversies concerning the alleged "end of modernity", both sets of debates have something in common: they tell a one-sided story which neglects the role of women and the significance of gender in the formation of contemporary societies. Marshall begins by re-examining classical social theory and the ways in which women figured as a "strategic absence" in classical debates about capitalism and modernity. She then examines a range of more recent debates, including the development of socialist feminist theory and its impasses; the various attempts to theorize subjectivity; the analysis of the role of the state and political discourse in regulating gendered identities; and the claim that the project of the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on autonomy and emancipation, has exhausted itself in the late 20th century. Marshall is sceptical of some of the stronger claims of postmodern theorists and argues that the project of modernity, flawed as it is, still contains considerable potential to ground an emancipatory practice. But she also argues that, if we wish to understand the nature and development of modernity, we must give more attention to questions of gender. Hence, feminist theory, together with post-colonial and anti-racist theories, has the potential to revitalize and enrich a critical social theory of modernity.

Table of Contents

1. Gender and Modernity: Classical Issues, Contemporary Debates. 2. Rethinking the Gendered Division of Labour. 3. Social Reproduction and Socialist Feminist Theory. 4. Gendered Identities. 5. Gender Politics: Regulation and Resistance. 6. Feminist theory as Critical Theory.
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780745609287

Description

In this book Barbara Marshall argues that the debates around both modernity and postmodernity neglect the role of women and significance of gender in the formation of contemporary societies.

Table of Contents

Introduction. 1. Gender and Modernity: Classical Issues, Contemporary Debates. 2. Rethinking the Gendered Division of Labour. 3. Social Reproduction and Socialist Feminist Theory. 4. Gendered Identities. 5. Gender Politics: Regulation and Resistance. 6. Feminist Theory as Critical Theory. Notes. References. Index.

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Details

  • NCID
    BA23200115
  • ISBN
    • 0745609279
    • 0745609287
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge, UK
  • Pages/Volumes
    x, 197 p.
  • Size
    24 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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