Contemporary Western European Feminism Rle Feminist Theory

Contemporary Western European Feminism is a ground-breaking history of feminism. Gisela Kaplan invites a critical analysis of current ideas, terms and assumptions about our modern world. Written confidently and with compassion, this is the story of a long revolution that has set out to change predominant attitudes and transform value hierarchies and human lifestyles. By outlining the postwar histories of individual countries Kaplan contextualises women’s movements and documents a significant chapter of European social history. She poses questions about the interrelationship between the new movements and the parliamentary democracies in which they occurred, while analysing the contradictions of living in modern capitalist countries. Contemporary Western European Feminism also tackles important contradictions, such as those between the welfare state and the free market economy; industrialisation and religious value systems; social engineering and the production of wealth; and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. For those wanting to know more about Europe without the intimidating barriers of language and for those already experts in its social history, Contemporary Western European Feminism is essential reading.

This book examines the events in the feminist movement in Western Europe over the past 20 years. It invites critical analysis of terms, ideas and assumptions about the modern world, and helps the reader to recognize fundamental traits of the social contexts which give rise to social movements. as Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Greece, the book aims to transcend a mere narrative of women's movements to provide a comprehensive account of the European scene. By mapping the postwar history of each country and thereby providing a context for the women's movements, the author documents a significant chapter of European social history. contemporary world, such a those between the welfare state and a free-market economy, industrialization and religious value systems, social engineering and wealth production, and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. contemporary world, such as those between the welfare state and a free-market economy, industrialization and religious value systems, social engineering and the production of wealth, and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. contemporary feminism, Contemporary Western European feminism is essential reading. It incorporates an extensive bibliography concentrating on English-language sources. Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. She is the co-editor of Hannah Arendt: thinking, judging, freedom, and a contributor to Feminine/masculine and representation. sociology.

Examines the events in the feminist movement in Western Europe over the past 20 years. Kaplan invites critical analysis of terms, ideas and assumptions about the modern world, and helps the reader to recognize fundamental traits of the social contexts which give rise to social movements.

Contemporary Western European Feminism is a ground-breaking history of feminism. Gisela Kaplan invites a critical analysis of current ideas, terms and assumptions about our modern world. Written confidently and with compassion, this is the story of a long revolution that has set out to change predominant attitudes and transform value hierarchies and human lifestyles. By outlining the postwar histories of individual countries Kaplan contextualises women’s movements and documents a significant chapter of European social history. She poses questions about the interrelationship between the new movements and the parliamentary democracies in which they occurred, while analysing the contradictions of living in modern capitalist countries. Contemporary Western European Feminism also tackles important contradictions, such as those between the welfare state and the free market economy; industrialisation and religious value systems; social engineering and the production of wealth; and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. For those wanting to know more about Europe without the intimidating barriers of language and for those already experts in its social history, Contemporary Western European Feminism is essential reading.

Women and European Politics is a comprehensive country-by-country survey of the changing political and economic history of women in Eastern and Western Europe over the last two centuries. Joni Lovenduski first discusses the contributions of the "first wave" feminists who fought for women suffrage as well as for reforms in family life, wage work, and educational opportunities. A more economically independent group of "second wave" feminists were concerned primarily with women's political activism, reproductive rights, child care provision for wage-earning women, laws against rape and sexual harassment, and consciousness-raising about women's oppression. Throughout her consideration of these issues, Lovenduski remains keenly aware of the unique situation for the women in each country discussed, as well as the divisions created among women due to differing social class and ethnic background. She is also skeptical of official press reports and accounts of women's political activity and aware of the interplay between professed government ideology and actual social and political practices as they affect women's daily lives.

Feminism in France charts the evolution of the women’s liberation in France (MLF) from its emergence in 1968 to the present. Claire Duchen provides a lucid and compelling account of different feminist practices in France, clarifying the divergent political stances and the feminist theory that informs them. The remarkably clear introduction to French feminist theory, notably of Luce Irigaray and Helene Cixous, places it in its wider intellectual and political context and illuminates the complex connection of feminist thinking to other strands of contemporary French thought, represented by philosophers such as Michel Foucault and Jacques Lacan. The author’s role as ‘participant observer’ and her inclusion of interviews with French activists enhance her discussion, complementing the analytical with the immediacy of lived experience. ‘Claire Duchen’s lucid and succinct account is both timely and valuable.’ – Harriet Gilbert, New Statesman ‘Lucid, sympathetic and very helpful book on the French women’s movement ... will help us to understand the French feminist world much better.’ – Sian Reynolds, Women’s Review ‘An excellent introduction to French feminist theory which clarifies feminism in contemporary French thought, and includes illuminating interviews with activists.’ - SHE

Feminisms and Women's Movements in Contemporary Europe, explores new developments in the theory and practice of European feminists. It assesses the significance of recent trends both in terms of a possible convergence of identities and issues across national boundaries and of the continuing relevance and vitality of feminist thinking and female activism in the 1990s. The book focuses on Europe, East and West, paying particular attention to the former USSR.

Dissatisfaction with the present can cause people to gaze nostalgically back to an idealized past; that nostalgia pervades contemporary rhetoric. In lamenting the ‘degeneracy’ of present-day America, social and literary critics as well as contemporary novelists often choose as their scapegoat the women’s movement and its increasing influence. Doane and Hodges show us how these social observers seek to ‘reinstate’ America and American values in ways that, overtly or covertly, do battle with the feminist movement for control of rhetoric, the power of language.