Love and Politics : Radical Feminist and Lesbian Theories - Softcover

Douglas, Carol Anne

4.1

21 ratings by Goodreads

9780910383172: Love and Politics : Radical Feminist and Lesbian Theories

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0910383170 ISBN 13: 9780910383172

Publisher: Ism Pr, 1990

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Critical survey of radical and lesbian feminist ideas from the 1960s through the 1980s. Carol Anne Douglas examines diverse theories on the roots of male domination; love and sexuality; lesbianism and friendship between women; lesbian separatism; sadomasochism; strategy and tactics for women's liberation -- and more.

Douglas probes the divergent roots of radical feminist theory. She then glides her analytic lens to examine diverse currents in radical feminist practice. While some radical feminists emphasize confronting the enemy (patriarchy and/or capitalism), others emphasize building alternative women's communities to achieve radical feminist goals in the here and now. "In the early and mid 1970s," Douglas observes, "there was a turn by radical and lesbian feminists not only from working for legislated reforms but also from any sort of demonstrations or direct confrontation with the male power structure... Creating independent projects -- whether these were publications, bookstores, restaurants, record companies, credit unions or rape crisis centers -- was seen by many as a more productive way of opposing the system. Creating an alternative system was seen as more radical than directly confronting the power structure. The alternative strategy is derived from the 1960s counterculture, but also ultimately from anarchist and utopian socialist principles.

"Some radical feminists saw the turn to establishing alternatives as a diversion from radicalism and as triumph for liberals. However, even these feminists saw the need for an alternative press..." Douglas draws on her vast knowledge of radical feminist writings and practical experience in women's movements to bring clarity to the radical feminist currents and cross-currents since the 1970s.

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From the Author:

Definitions of lesbianism and heterosexuality may be related to a woman's position on the question of whether there are inherent, inevitable differences between women and men. A woman who does not believe that most behavioral differences between women and men are biologically caused, is not likely to believe that lesbianism is determined genetically or during infancy. However, a woman who believes that there are significant, lasting biological differences between women and men may believe that there are inherent differences between lesbian and heterosexual women -- or that differences between women and men are so great that all women, given a real opportunity, would choose to be lesbian.

...All feminists believe that there are some biological differences between women and men and that men have used these differences both to suppress women's actions and to degrade or devalue those physical characteristics that are possessed by...women. Virtually all feminist writers believe that men are capable in some way of modifying this behavior, willingly or unwillingly. All believe that women must obtain the power necessary to prevent their actions being controlled or their bodies being used against their wishes.

...Disputes in the feminist movement often take a personal edge as women vent their pent-up rage at one another... Long-term feminists usually have learned to heal or cope with scars inflicted within the movement as well as by patriarchy... Feminists need to find more charitable ways of disagreeing with each other.

From the Back Cover:

"Douglas provides a lively and coherent overview of radical and lesbian feminist ideas over the past few decades, reminding us of their creativity and diversity. Love and Politics should be on the reading list of all activists and academics seeking to understand how feminist theory gives perspective and power to strategy and action."
-- Charlotte Bunch, long-time feminist activist and author of Passionate Politics: Feminist Theory in Action

Front cover painting, "Landscape/Wilbur Springs," by Kim McCloud.

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