Women and Men Political Theorists

This much-anticipated work is a rich and insightful collection of essays that restores women and minorities to the arena of political theory and debate. Philosophers such as Mary Astell and Mary Wollstonecraft argue alongside traditional theorists, including Rousseau and Locke, in a unique historical dialogue. Arranged by several key themes, each covered by both men and women theorists, the book amounts to a rediscovery of women's political philosophy in arguments over both traditional and feminist concepts. Also provided are substantial biographical details about the writers, and secondary source material for the student and researcher.

Acknowledgements vii Introduction 1 Part I sources of Political Authority Introduction 5 1 The Second Treatise of Government 20 John Locke 2 A Serious Proposal to the Ladies/Some Reflections upon Marriage/An Impartial Enquiry into the Causes of Rebellion and Civil War/The Christian Religion 39 Mary Astell Part II Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment Introduction 63 3 Discourse on the Origin of Inequality 73 Jean-Jacques Rousseau 4 A Vindication of the Rights of Women 94 Mary Wollstonecraft Part III Conservation or Revolution as the Path to Democratic Change Introduction 125 5 Reflections on the Revolution in France 131 Edmund Burke 6 A vindication of the Rights of Men 147 Mary Wollstonecraft Part IV Federalism and Anti-Federalism Introduction 171 7 The Federalist 178 James Madison 8 Observations on the New Constitution 192 Mercy Otis Warren Part V Thoughts on Minority Rights and Liberty – From Servitude to Privilege Introduction 205 9 Writings and Addresses 214 Maria W. Stewart 10 On Liberty 233 John Stuart Mill Part VI Abolitionism, Socialism, and Feminism Introduction 245 11 Writings and Addresses 261 Frederick Douglass 12 The Communist Manifesto 283 Karl Marx 13 Woman, Church and State 298 Matilda Joslyn Gage Part VII From Utilitarianism to Womanist Theory Introduction 317 14 Utilitarianism 328 John Stuart Mill 15 A Voice from the South. By a Black Woman of the South 339 Anna Julia Cooper Bibliography 357 Index 363