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

"This carefully crafted sourcebook makes available almost forgotten work in political philosophy by women and men authors from the seventeenth to the early twentieth centuries. Set in its historical and intellectual context with substantial introductions, the material reveals an exciting body of critical literature that contests modern liberal theory and demonstrates the need to rethink the canon of Western political theory." Alison Jaggar, University of Colorado

"Kristin Waters' anthology is an egalitarian and inclusive conversation between political theorists of different races, times, and genders. Her thorough introductions to each of the participants and her insightful
interpretive suggestions turn Women and Men Political Theorists into a unique text and an excellent addition to political theory." Bat-Ami Bar On, Binghamton University (SUNY)

Kristin Waters is Professor of Philosophy at Worcester State College and Resident Scholar at the Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center. She has published in the areas of social and political philosophy, feminist ethics and epistemology, and the history of ideas. Women and Men Political Theorists is a rich and insightful collection of essays that restores important works to the arena of modern political theory and debate. Organized by theme, the book pairs up lesser-known figures with canonical writers, to produce a unique historical dialogue. The perspectives of Mary Astell, Mary Wollstonecraft, and African American writers like Maria W. Stewart and Anna Julia Cooper answer issues raised by Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and other classical theorists. The editor's fresh approach sheds new light on traditional and feminist concepts. Her substantial critical
introductions, biographical material, and bibliographies provide an indispensable resource for students and researchers.