A Postmodern Feminist View Of Political Power Politics Essay

A postmodernist Feminist View Of Political major power Politics EssayModern policy-making ordinary opinion empennage be apply to whatever number of institutions, communities and billets in contemporary society because of the diametrical range of perspectives that preempt be applied. One such perspective is curiously important in delimitate the roles and women and the way in which woman stinkpot re modern to and be placeuated inwardly the modern word. Postmodern womens lib is a fussyly interesting perspective because it can be utilize to regard the gulf between women in various policy-making dusts many a(prenominal) of the in the buff rightlys that are being claimed by women or ethnic minorities are no longer rights that can be universalized. They are the expression of unique(predicate) needs and should be granted to grumpy communities. (Giroux, 1991, p. 1).With this in mind, it is necessary to examine the incident communities in question inside the con text of postmodernistist womens rightist movement. This move anyow for examine the role of sound functioning within both a fascist dictatorship and a liberal democracy with a tidy sum to concluding that a effectual system can some definitely be considered to be much more than a reprehension of governmental power because no political system can be solely be by its healthy procedures alone.Postmodern Feminism prior(prenominal) to examining the theories of postmodern womens rightist movement, it is essential to define and thereof be fully satisfactory to on a lower floorstand but what postmodern libber movement is and where it actually comes from. This can be difficult given the sheer number of commentarys of this area of political thought that are out there at the moment. As critics and supporters all return their have got theories in mind in relative to postmodernism and feminism, as head as the field of postmodern feminism, it is necessary to decide upo n a explanation in order to complete epitome of various political and sanctioned institutions and systems within the rest of this essay. Taking feminism first The most lucid way in which current usage is ignored when feminism is defined as an opposition to the sex-based injustices from which women suffer is in itself seeming to count further-off too many pile among feminists. (Richards, 1980, p. 2). This definition is knowing because it highlights the oversubscription to the nonion of feminism. In fact, many women do non agree with feminist linguistic rules entirely that does not prevent those principles from applying to the mortal women, whether they benefit from equality or are discriminated against because of grammatical gender differences. Postmodernism, on the other hand, can be traced to a heightened fretfulness about what impact experts bewilder on a world that appears increasingly inimical to the values promoted in the arts and in intellectual work. ((McGow an, 1991, p. 1). This anxiety and intellectual perspective of the modern world does provide a unique tie-up of the political and well(p) up-grounded systems, especially when combined with feminism.Postmodern feminism combines the philosophies of postmodernism and feminism theories in order to provide political analysts and philosophers with a brand new perspective on society and a means of diametricaliating between different societies and communities as well. The definition below is perhaps one of the most apt out therepostmodern feminism does not focus on the category woman. Rather, it focuses on the situated realities of women, plural. Postmodern feminists question earlier feminist attempts to redefine the category woman. Any definition, even one articulated by feminists, is limiting and serves to tie the individual to her identity as a woman. (Weisberg, 1993, p. 243)This particular definition is an excellent one for application to the models of expanse X and coun hand over Y, as defined in the question. However, it can as well be applied to numerous other situation and circumstances that women in particular lift themselves in because it takes each situation on an individual basis, thereof on its possess merits and in relation to the collective gender and not the individual. This definition examines numerous factors in a set context with a view to determining just how important the factors are. For example, it examines identity in regards to government activity as well as the individuals ability to define his or her own caterpillar track through life. Feminism obviously implies the exclusion of men but within this particular definition and its theoretical postmodern combination, it can be employ to determine the levelheaded standing of an entire society in relation to equality as well.There is another factor that is closely associated with postmodern feminism and that is essentialism The concept of essentialism, discussed above, is a manifesta tion of postmodern feminist thought. (Barnett, 1998, p. 195). This clearly defines essentialism as a major element of postmodern feminist thought, although some(a) critics either disagree or fail to acknowledge it as an element. Although this is not always considered in relation to this particular theory, it has a major intent on the way in which the individual legal system and political system is defined as in the question and so merits a comprehensive definition, which is also vital if one is to fully appreciate the theories of postmodern feminism in relation to various legal and political systems. The better(p) possible definition is perhaps the following Essentialism searches for the intrinsic personality of things as they are, in and of themselves. (Fuchs, 2005, p. 12). The disposition of any political and legal system is implausibly important and thus the application of essentialism is vital to the very reputation of this particular analytical examination of political p ower and whether or not the nature of society itself has an impact on the legal system of different countries. like a shot that all vital elements of this political theory have been examined and defined, the essay allow examine the situation of regulation in relation to postmodern feminism and the defined political systems as per the question. A coherent answer lead be come upond via the deconstruction of the two distinct societies Deconstruction, moreover, located originally generally in the postmodern field of linguistics, becomes an accessible tool for the summary of uprightness and legal theory. (Barnett, 1998, p. 195)The Context of JurisprudencePostmodern feminism fits into the context of ordinance well because its practical application is relatively straight forward disregarding of the nature of the individual or society that is being examined. However, the notion of jurisprudence is often split into two distinct categories the male and the female feminist jurisprud ence demonstrates the need for law to recognise confirm and secure this emancipation. In the context of nurturing work, such law would spread the costs of nurturing work passim the affable unit society so that women do not bear them all. (Stark, 2003, p. 127). As the postmodern feminist philosophy of the law in discussed here, it stands to reason that it actively examined the female side of the law in relation to how women function within society, what their roles are and whether or not they sought equality has actually been achieved in some measure. Many individuals argue that females are still considered to be rank in the context of dictatorships and the governmental systems in place. However, whether the legal systems define feminism within the context of jurisprudence or the external factors that contribute to any given society can be questioned, particularly when placed in contrast with liberal democracies and the way in which postmodern feminist thought can be employ to e xamine them. The interaction between postmodern feminism and jurisprudence is an integral relationship that is necessary for the extensive analysis of country X and country Y, and using examples is integral in defining exactly how the power structures interrelate is essential.The Political System, The Legal System And Postmodern FeminismAccording to Thornham, feminism, politics and theory are interdependent. But feminist politics have engaged as much with issues of culture and copy as in campaigns for social change. (2005, p. 24) However, in order to be able-bodied to apply the principles behind the theory of postmodern feminism, it is necessary to delve into particular countries and their legal systems with regards to the specific examples given. According to the question given, country X is a fascist dictatorship in which oppressive legal measures are utilize to deny people basic freedoms. Country Y, on the other hand, is a liberal democracy in which the legal system upholds c apitalism and military man rights. In short, the two are diametrically opposed and therefore analysis is vital to form a conclusion as to whether a legal system may be said to be anything more than a expression of political power.Taking country X first, a fascist dictatorship that is characterised by oppressive legal measures denies its people their freedom, which is of course the whole point of controlling a country so completely. There have been many examples of this in the past century, all of which use a legal system to snatch and maintain political power. However, in the case of postmodern feminism, it is easy to find examples of rebellion that question the political system and its legal enforcement, which in turn affects the status of the legal system as a reflection of political power. A fine example is that of the women in chilli under PinochetDuring the Pinochet era, Chilean women rescripted the passive, non-agent role into which they were being maneuvered sic by certain westward feminisms and the Pinochet regime. Based on their particular experiences within the culture of marianismo those situated practices of which they were a part our subject Chilean women asserted their position as political subjects and rewrite the original script to reflect their status as political agents. (Warkentin Daly, 2003, p. 157)This particular analysis highlights the way in which Chilean women did exert their feminist rights as a result of the influences of the outside world, of liberal democracies, that made it through. This is through with(p) against pressure from political authorities and thus also the legal system as a direct result of the postmodern feminist principle of agency. Warkentin Daly highlight that the Chilean women embraced agency and thus carved out their own niche within the system despite the level of oppression that was occurring at the time. As such, this points to the fact that the legal system, regardless of how oppressive it is, is unac companied palmy should women and men alike choose to accept it. The Chilean women did not and thus completely altered their own role within society at the time. The change in attitudes could not be governed by the oppressive legal system and thus it mechanically becomes more than a reflection of political power but also of political challenge as well.The nature of this rebellion against the political dictatorship by the women of Chile fits in well with postmodern feminist theory for a number of reasons. First of all, women became stronger and more coherent a group within society, but they did not try to revolutionise the country itself. Instead, they were aiming for smaller and more localised goals, which is part of the postmodern theory. Big questions and issues do not come to fruition under dictatorships but the smaller concerns that characterise postmodern thought do (Mansell Meteyard, 2004, p. 160). The nature of the people and the external influences that caused unrest are bo th important factors in explaining exactly why total political control does not always automatically lead to a society that will not grasp authorization where possible. Furthermore, it is important to note that the feminist movement in liberal democracies is able to filter through all elements of society regardless of the current situation in individual countries. The characteristics that define feminism certainly have their own brand of power conceptual distinctions, criteria of legitimation, cognitive procedural rules, and so away are all political and therefore represent moves of power and also recognize that they represent a different type of power than is exhibited in, for example, physical violence or threat of force. (Nicholson, 1990, p. 11)Postmodern feminist theory is most definitely applicable to other political and legal systems as well. For example, it can be actively used to examine a liberal democracy, under which human rights are upheld by the legal system. This is the criteria for country Y and can be examined in relation to any number of countries. However, British politics and the relevant legal system are particularly favoured by postmodern feminist critics as a result of the measure of equality allowed to all sections of society at the moment. In this instance, the legal system is not only a reflection of political power but also of the nature and attitudes that are currently present within society. For example, postmodern feminist critics will undoubtedly allude to the level of topics that were antecedently taboo on a legal and social level but are now in the public eye feminism has helped to bring a range of new issues, formerly perceived to be essentially private or social, onto the public political agenda, and thence into the purview of policy studies, such as national violence miscarriage, and childcare. (Randall, 2009, p. 146). Liberal democracies do actively consider the needs of all element of society by nature and the legal s ystem is used to reinforce the values and rights that every free individual has, which is a remote cry from the legal system within a dictatorship. However, it is the rights that the people imply that are covered by legal institutions. Under postmodern feminism, the relatively moderate issues of domestic violent and abortion are considered to be localised interests and not the big decisions that previous political theories considered.However, that is not to say that the legal system has not been used in order to exert limits on individual rights within a liberal democracy. An example of that is the issue of abortion within the United States, with particular reference to the commandncy of George W. Bush. A womans right to choose was repeatedly questioned under the government because of the legitimacy of the human rights of a foetus. According to Crooks and Baur, Congress approved a forbidding on late term abortion in 2003, which was then signed by the president butseveral federal courts declared the eschew unconstitutional and the ban was not enacted Bushs appointment of anti-abortion Supreme Court justices has given hope to far right anti-abortion forces that the Court will decide counter to all previous federal court decisions and uphold the first ever federal ban on abortion. (p. 305)As Bush could not constitutionally enforce a ban at local and federal level, he attempted to maneuver the Supreme Court so that it would be possible to do so, thus removing rights that women had in regard their own bodies and placing them in the hands of men. This does not sit well with postmodern feminist theory in relation to a liberal democracy, but the nature of the system itself ultimately prevented those rights being removed. Furthermore, anxiety over morals within a liberal democracy caused a distinct difference of opinion, but one that the law could not preside over given the fact that the objections were largely religious and relate nowadays to human rights. In f act, with both sides arguing over human rights in relation to this, the legal system would not be allowed to uphold laws in breach of either side. As Tetreault points out, the most valuable resources leading to authority inhere in the individual. (2003, p. 276)In conclusion, the analysis here proves that it is possible to force out the theory that the legal system is nothing more than a reflection of political power within any given country, regardless of the social and political composition of that in question. The example of the Chilean women fits in well with specific elements of postmodern feminist thought because it actively proves that power to achieve small goals lies with the people, regardless of the pressure they are under from oppressive and middling brutal regimes. Furthermore, it implies that, whilst legal systems can be and often are defined in relation to the nature of the political system and the overt freedoms of the people, the individual cannot and thus the lega l systems ability to keep attitudes and the evolution of thought in check is not always as straightforward as it seems.