An introduction to the experience of women in former state socialist countries, which attempts to unravel the legacy of state socialism in relation to women. The book explores women's status in East Central Europe, both before and after 1989.

Carole Pateman is one of the leading political theorists writing today. This wide-ranging volume brings together for the first time a selection of her work on democratic theory and feminist criticism of mainstream political theory. The volume includes substantial discussions of problems of democracy, citizenship and the welfare state, including the largely unrecognized difficulties surrounding women's participation. The inclusion of essays from both a mainstream and feminist perspective provides concrete examples of the differences between these two approaches to democracy, to (...) questions of consent and political obligation, and to the relationship between the private and public spheres. This scholarly and highly challenging work will be of interest to students and researchers in political theory, political science, women's studies and sociology. (shrink)

Democracy is the central political issue of our age, yet debates over its nature and goals rarely engage with feminist concerns. Now that women have the right to vote, they are thought to present no special problems of their own. But despite the seemingly gender-neutral categories of individual or citizen, democratic theory and practice continues to privilege the male. This book reconsiders dominant strands in democratic thinking - focusing on liberal democracy, participatory democracy, and twentieth century versions of civic republicanism (...) - and approaches these from a feminist perspective. Anne Phillips explores the under-representation of women in politics, the crucial relationship between public and private spheres, and the lessons of the contemporary women's movement as an experience in participatory democracy. (shrink)

Vast changes within East and Central Europe since 1989 have brought countries in this region, including Hungary, under sharp focus. This important study of women's situation within the changing context of Hungarian society gives a comprehensive overview of the various factors which make up women's lives. Rather than experiencing social radicalism in the 1960s, women in Hungary were experiencing the full effects of their rigid, authoritarian statist policies. What this meant for their everyday lives is considered in terms of women's (...) paid and unpaid work, family ideologies, social policy innovations, women's health care, changing attitudes, and women's hopes and aspirations. Against the background of new openings on the political scene, questions concerning civil society and space for women's agendas are vital. (shrink)

In dit boek over sekse verschillen stelt Eisenstein dat de ongelijkheid tussen de sekse in stand wordt gehouden door zowel het recht, die de man als standaard neemt bij wetgeving die de formele gelijkheid tussen mannen en vrouwen wil regelen, als door het biologische verschil tussen man en vrouw, waardoor vrouwen beperkt worden tot voortplanting en moederschap. Aan de hand van thema's als positieve actie, abortus en pornografie laat ze zien dat het recht beperkend werkt. Zonder terug te vallen in (...) traditionele ideen stelt ze het 'zwangere lichaam' met de gevolgen daarvan, centraal in de discussie over gelijke behandeling. (shrink)