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PS 112: Modern and Contemporary Political Theory

Instructor: Fritz Krieg Allawey


The Subjection of Women
by John Stuart Mill
 Classical Liberal Philosopher
 First male feminist
 Dedicated to his wife, Harriet Taylor
 Analyzes women’s status and advocated for women’s equality published in 1869
Chapter I
 Mill disagrees men’s belief:
1. They are superior- it is their station in life to have power, authority and master status over
weak species
2. They know the thoughts of women- amatory relations
 Mill argued for equal rights for women not only as a liberal but also on utilitarian grounds
 “The legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong in itself, and now a chief hindrance to
human development”
 Three Factors in the hindrance of human development
1. Power- husband’s abuse
2. Religion- supposed to be preventing others from being cruel to one another especially in
the case against women
-“religion of humanity”- directing one’s emotions and desires towards the ideal of
the unity of mankind and a respect for the general good
3. Government- particularly the King— supposed to stop the conflict
-Constitutional Monarchy, Liberal Democracy
Chapter II
 The Institution if marriage
 Marriage should let it be a marriage of equality rather than a marriage of obedience
 Married woman are forced to be at her husband’s side at all times
 Married women is not allowed to have property
 Their children will not belong to her and only to him
 Men is protected by law to do whatever he wants to and with his wife excepting murder.
 He envision marriage as a social construct based on love, equality, respect and all sincerity.
Chapter III
 Men cannot tolerate the idea of living with an equal
 Disproves the myth:
1. Women are no capable of ruling or being involved in politics
Queen Elizabeth- known as the Virgin Queen and for her reign that is considered
to be the greatest in England’s history
Queen Victoria- crowned at the age of 18 and at the height of Empire
-Despite of the 8 attempts to kill her, her reign lasted for 64 years
and is the longest
2. Men are more intelligent than women because of their smaller brain
Chapter IV
 Explains the benefits of equality
 Liberation of women would benefit both men and women hence society as a whole
 Education of women would also double “the mass mental faculties available for the higher
service of humanity”
 Men and women would be partners in the higher service of humanity
 Superiority is not found in birth but by hard work and personal achievement

Prepared by: DONNA C. MANLICLIC


AB Political Science IV

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