The political influence of a second wave of British feminism has been apparent since the late 1960s when, apparently spontaneously, a vibrant, radical Women's Liberation Movement burst onto the political scene. But what happened to the feminist movement of the optimistic 1970s during the 1980s? Was it stifled by the political and economic changes associated with Thatcherism, or did it help bring those changes about? Will the 1990s see a new generation of feminists who will not tolerate the conditions under which their mothers work and live?Contemporary Feminist Politics is the first comprehensive account of feminist politics in Britain from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Joni Lovenduski and Vicky Randall trace the movement's accomplishments and defeats over four successive Conservative governments. They argue that its development can only be understood in the context of a rapidly changing social and economic environment and that the movement's deradicalization and apparent decline have in fact been accompanied by a greater involvement with state agencies and the growing presence of feminists in mainstream institutions.The book's central section examines five key areas for feminist politics: political representation and citizenship, equal employment opportunities, reproductive rights and health, motherhood and childcare, and male violence. For all of these it explores both the main preoccupations of feminist theory and important grass-roots developments. It concludes that a feminist-influenced British Women's Movement is a changed but unmistakably significant political force in the 1990s.

Contemporary Feminist Politics: Women and Power in Britain

Politics & Social Sciences

Randall, Vicky

Lovenduski, Joni

Social Sciences

Oxford University Press

This is the first comprehensive account of feminist politics in Great Britain from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. The authors trace the movement's accomplishments and defeats over four successive conservative government terms. They identify and examine five key areas of British feminist politics--political representation and citizenship, equal employment opportunities, reproductive rights and health, motherhood and childcare, and male violence. In each of these areas, the authors explore both developments in feminist theory and the grass-roots movements.

Politics and society in Eastern Europe

History

Indiana University Press

Politics and society in Eastern Europe (Comparative government and politics)

Macmillan Education

Political Recruitment: Gender, Race and Class in the British Parliament

Pippa Norris and Joni Lovenduski ask why some politicians succeed in moving into the highest offices of state, while others fail. They examine the relative dearth of women, black and working class Members of Parliament, and whether this evident social bias matters for political representation. The authors draw evidence from the first systematic surveys of parliamentary candidates, Members of Parliament and party selectors, as well as detailed personal interviews. The study explores how and why people become politicians, and the consequences for parties, legislatures and representative government.

Norris, Pippa

Politics & Government

Cambridge University Press

Women and European Politics: Contemporary Feminism and Public Policy

Women and European politics: Contemporary feminism and public policy

Women's Studies

Wheatsheaf Books

Feminizing Politics

Feminists have long argued that the presence of women in politics provides a means of articulating women’s perspectives and issues. As the number of female MPs increases, it is often claimed that the nature of politics itself will be transformed. But are we really witnessing the feminization of politics? Do women make a difference to political life and, if so, under what circumstances? In this fascinating new book, Joni Lovenduski seeks to answer these questions by exploring the changes in the political representation of women since the 1960s. Focusing primarily on the UK, but drawing on examples from other political systems, Lovenduski goes on to consider how institutions, processes and procedures are affected by the changing number of women in politics. She explores what is at stake when we try to achieve equality of women and men in public office, and draws out the ways in which the constraints and possibilities for political action are gendered. Feminizing Politics makes a vital contribution to debates about the role of women in politics today. It will be of interest to students and scholars of comparative politics and gender studies as well as the interested general reader.

Anthropology

Polity

Feminists have long argued that the presence of women in politics provides a means of articulating women’s perspectives and issues. As the number of female MPs increases, it is often claimed that the nature of politics itself will be transformed. But are we really witnessing the feminization of politics? Do women make a difference to political life and, if so, under what circumstances? In this fascinating new book, Joni Lovenduski seeks to answer these questions by exploring the changes in the political representation of women since the 1960s. Focusing primarily on the UK, but drawing on examples from other political systems, Lovenduski goes on to consider how institutions, processes and procedures are affected by the changing number of women in politics. She explores what is at stake when we try to achieve equality of women and men in public office, and draws out the ways in which the constraints and possibilities for political action are gendered. Feminizing Politics makes a vital contribution to debates about the role of women in politics today. It will be of interest to students and scholars of comparative politics and gender studies as well as the interested general reader.

Sociology

Women and European Politics is a comprehensive country-by-country survey of the changing political and economic history of women in Eastern and Western Europe over the last two centuries. Joni Lovenduski first discusses the contributions of the "first wave" feminists who fought for women suffrage as well as for reforms in family life, wage work, and educational opportunities. A more economically independent group of "second wave" feminists were concerned primarily with women's political activism, reproductive rights, child care provision for wage-earning women, laws against rape and sexual harassment, and consciousness-raising about women's oppression. Throughout her consideration of these issues, Lovenduski remains keenly aware of the unique situation for the women in each country discussed, as well as the divisions created among women due to differing social class and ethnic background. She is also skeptical of official press reports and accounts of women's political activity and aware of the interplay between professed government ideology and actual social and political practices as they affect women's daily lives.

Africa

University of Massachusetts Press

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