Essay on Politics of Feminism and Democracy

Introduction

One would wonder if the politics of feminism influences democracy or if it is influenced democracy altogether. For centuries now, when men were running governments and writing political philosophy women and their experiences had very little influences on the democratic representation and discourses. However, feminism has emerged at the center of democratic politics. For instance, the role of gender politics in political processes and democratization of institutions and the society is imperative to highlight. In this critical though analysis, the paper seeks to assess the extent to which feminism and feminist ideologies have affected and shaped democracy or if indeed, democracy creates space by shaping the ideologies of the feminist school of thought. Thus the focus is the extent to which the calls by gender politics advanced from the feminist aspect has contributed to the democracy and participatory politics in the society. In addition, the emergence of democratization of the society and inclusive politics is what is giving voice to feminism like the case of the plight of feminist in Saudi Arabia.

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In the field of political science, a dominant notion examines democracy basically as a mechanism of collectively summing up distinct individual desires entrenched in self-interests. Thus the critics of the traditionalist approach on democracy beseech the citizenry not to just think in the lenses of "I" but in the perspective of "we". Democracy thus must be understood as the collective discussion on similar problems in the society but not vote head counts as done during elections and needs in political campaigns (Grady, 2018, p. 1). Therefore, when sober discussions are held about the community or the society at large, individuals can see their stake within the society`s interest. Democracy is good at solving conflict through the majority will. However, it is imperative to note that democracy derives answers to the conundrums that integrate the minority group within the society. Such factors result in a deliberative democracy that helps citizens to think about their varying interests in a different perspective.

Two strands of writing from the feminist perspective illuminate the discourse regarding deliberative democracy. The first approach to the democratic theme celebrates the role and position of women (Grady, 2018, p. 2). The role of women in childbearing helps the society to transform from an individualistic approach into a societal aspect. Consequently, they seek to address conflict from the suppression of desires. Traditionally, women are raised to identify their good aspects with those of their husbands, children, and extended families. However, the capacity of women is to identify with other people who have often been abused to the disadvantage of the females.

The second aspect of the feminist notion of democracy and the political processes globally take the approach of the man as an oppressive agent against females and is hell-bent to ensure the women do not prosper. The ability to transform the "I" into "We" can be made possible through political deliberations hence easily mask the subtle forms of dominance. The second approach of dominance over the female gender advances that oppressed voices are not able to be heard and even when they say no, it is understood to be a yes by the oppressor. Therefore, the feminist approach posits that there is a gap of inequality of power between women and men (Grady, 2018, p. 2). The notion speculates that women are often silenced and encouraged to often keep their various needs inchoate.

The female gender thus is advocating for the accommodative democratic process which is deliberative by including all interested parties. Such school of thought has been advanced by various scholars who reason and deliberate about a specific discourse, are more persuasive to strengthen democracy as opposed to exercising power. However, feminist also anchors a case where oppression may be possible in silencing voices opposed to it by the number of people the female gender can control.

Feminists and feminism were coined by the female gender to advocate for their rights on the basis that women just like men were born equal (Kurtzleben, 2016, p. 1). Thus, the need to advocate for equality in the society was advanced to start by incorporating women in the decision making organs. Overtime till recent the feminist aspects have evolved and have created three waves of feminism. The first wave was seen in the 19th and 20th centuries and advocated for political rights which were legal rights. The second wave advocated for equal opportunities at the workplace while the third wave of feminist is dealing with perceived inequalities in the society. However, the third wave of feminism is interested in social issues that have become very difficult to test or prove. As such, it has been termed as tribal feminist ideas that groups people as opposed to the traditional feminist aspects that were very ideological.

According to (Kurtzleben, 2016, p. 2), an advance on the democratization of institutions has been impacted by the gender-based discourses in the society. In the nineteenth century, women felt left out in the democratization processes in leadership and decision making processes in the society. Indeed, it was a social evil against the women, thus prompted the social movement by women to advocate for their rights, particularly the right to vote. In the United States of America, feminist pushed for political equality and the desire to be guaranteed the right to vote. In 1919 in the US, hundreds of thousands of women camped outside the White House demanding their rights and freedoms to vote. The right to political equality was thus guaranteed to them and surely in the next presidential elections, they were allowed to vote. In addition, the massive demographic shift paved the way for various laws and regulations that promoted the rights of women to access medical care, and enhance their educational and living standards.

From the philosophical point of view, the main issue that can be deduced is the oppressive laws that existed which marginalized the female gender. The contributions that feminism gave in the political processes were visible and their contributions would later result into the first ever nominated woman in a major political party in the US for presidential elections (Ramachandran, 2012, p. 1). Hillary Clinton was the flag bearer to face off with Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential elections. The democratization of the institutions and inclusion of women in the face of governance has seen most women world over from such feminist calls lead institutions and other nations. In the United Kingdom UK, Terrassa May is the second female Prime Minister of the country. Her elections were facilitated through a competitive political process. Built institutional and democratic foundations established by the feminist movements created a perfect environment that enabled her to engage the country in a discussion about their future as a people. Based on her ability to do the job and her vision for the country, as opposed to her feminine gender, were the basis of her elections.

Grady, 2018 posit that the second wave of feminism created a debate and a significant contribution in the political circles with the clerical call for equality at institutional and business level. The women tabled their grievances by seeking for equal pay as their male gender counterparts. The workplace inequality was too much and the women were segregated in a number of issues. After they feminist gained the equal rights amendments, ERA, which spelled that equality of rights within the United States, for instance, would not be abridged or denied. As such, the women were able to come out and defended their rights through protests, publications, demonstrations and lobbying of elected leaders to enshrine such rights in law. The courts were also influenced by such human rights approaches which could be said to be oppressive to women. The male-dominated society as a perspective which was also perceived to be oppressing women was being dismantled officially.

The female gender was able to influence the political system to support their course hence strengthening democracy. People debated the merits of the cases they tabled and they were able to convince the public. The women wanted equal pay for the equal jobs they did with their male counterparts. They also wanted access to jobs which traditionally were a reserve of male gender only. Childcare support by both the State leadership and the federal government issued pressing to women. The court rulings like the 1971 case in the US which declared discrimination based on sex or gender was an infringement of the fourteenth amendment among other successful courses have been significant.

Therefore, women advocates and feminist were able to strengthen their position in the society by disorganizing the thinking and mental makeup of people of the societal patriarchal system which favored the male gender. Women were able to get opportunities in schools and pursue degrees and their dreams just as men. They were able to translate their individual goals into a societal bigger picture. They were able to get better healthcare services and manage to balance work life and family responsibilities. Inequalities at workplaces were reduced significantly and the thinking about the female gender being as equal to men and all same creation was being achieved (Amesley, 2017, p. 2). As such, it is prudent to acknowledge the contributions the feminist have given to the political and democratization of the society globally.

The third wave and present feminism have the issues they try to articulate to continue with the feminist aspect of the struggle. In particular, it is imperative to mention the call by the feminist about the social equality issues in this third wave feminism (Amesley, 2017, p. 3). Social issues are difficult to define. Social inequalities are murky and also complicated, unlike the legal and political equality calls which are both measurable and definable. In addition, the third wave feminist, unlike the traditional feminist calls, does not protest against bad laws and illegal actions which infringe existing regulations. Such factors result to protest against the unconscious bias of the people. In addition, the century-long imposed norms and cultural heritage have disadvantaged women. As such the fact that third wave feminism deals with people`s brains and feelings, as opposed to institutional and governmental evils, makes it political but not democratic.

The third wave is characterized by the struggle of women to be increased in the positions of power in the society (Amesley, 2017, p. 3). They want both in political offices and the private sector for the female gender to have more dominant roles. In addition, it is visible to note that the women in this category have also been fighting against sexual harassments at work. The fight against workplace sexual harassment is dominant and is intended to protect the women's rights. The women here strongly advocates for the empowering of the girl child who has been oppressed by the male counterparts for a very long time. They also advocate for Planned Parenthood and abortion rights. They believe women have the choice to control their destiny and lives and should not be compelled to do things out of their free will.

Therefore, the third wave feminism has been criticized as being highly individualistic as opposed to the fighting for the collective rights of women (Amesley, 2017, p.3). The feminism perspective advances the notion that the third wave feminists do not have a common philosophy or ideology in which their claims are anchored. Most wome...