Political Theory

Classical Liberalism and the Rights of Women

ABSTRACT

To what extent do the founding classical liberal and social contract theories include or exclude women from equal fundamental rights and liberties? In what ways have debates about the servitude and subjection of women highlighted the importance of individual responsibility and liberty? The conference encouraged reflection on the core principles to emerge from the classical liberal and social contract traditions as they relate to women's individual liberties and responsibilities.

READING LIST

Conference Readings

Condorcet, Nicholas de. On the Admission of Woman to the Rights of Citizenship. Letchworth: Garden City Press, 1912.

Cudd, Ann E. and Nancy Holmstrom. Capitalism, For and Against: A Feminist Debate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Grimké, Angelina., “Human Rights Not Founded on Sex.” In Freedom, Feminism, and the State: An Overview of Individualist Feminism, edited by Wendy McElroy, 29-33. New York City: Holmes & Meier, 1991.

Grimké, Sarah., “Legal Disabilities of Women.” In Freedom, Feminism, and the State: An Overview of Individualist Feminism, edited by Wendy McElroy, 107-113. New York City: Holmes & Meier, 1991.

Kennedy Taylor, Joan., “Protective Labor Legislation.” In Freedom, Feminism, and the State: An Overview of Individualist Feminism, edited by Wendy McElroy, 187-190. New York City: Holmes & Meier, 1991.

La Follette, Suzanne., “The Economic Position of Women.” In Freedom, Feminism, and the State: An Overview of Individualist Feminism, edited by Wendy McElroy, 163-185. New York City: Holmes & Meier, 1991.

Locke, John. Two Treatises of Government (Student Edition). Edited by Peter Laslett. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

McElroy, Wendy. Individualist Feminism of the Nineteenth Century: Collected Writings and Biographical Profiles. Jefferson: McFarland, 2001.

Mill, J. S. The Subjection of Women. Edited by Sue Mansfield. Arlington Heights: AHM Publishing Corporation, 1980.

Pateman, Carole. The Sexual Contract. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1988.

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Emile, or On Education. Translated by Allan Bloom. New York City: Basic Books, Inc., 1979.

Scruton, Roger., “Sacrilege and Sacrament.” In The Meaning of Marriage: Family, State, Market & Morals, edited by Robert P. George and Jean Bethke Elshtain, 3-28. New York City: Scepter Publishers, 2010.

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. “A Slave’s Appeal - 1860.” Address to Judiciary Committee of the New York State Legislature, Albany, New York, January 1, 1860.

Stone, Lucy and Henry Blackwell., “Marriage Contract.” In Freedom, Feminism, and the State: An Overview of Individualist Feminism, edited by Wendy McElroy, 105-106. New York: Holmes & Meier, 1991.

Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America: (Bilingual Edition). Edited by Eduardo Nolla. Translated by James T. Schleifer. Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2010.

Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and A Vindication of the Rights of Men. Edited by Janet Todd. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.