Women and Men Political Theorists Enlightened Conversations [Paperback]

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 178lã-