Feminism's Empire

Feminism's Empire explores the complex relationships between imperialisms and feminisms in the late nineteenth century, demonstrating how feminists opposed and employed approaches to empire in writing, speaking, and publishing. French feminists were entangled in the hierarchies and epistemologies of empire, comparing their gender-based marginalization to imperialist oppressions. They faced similar barriers to full incorporation due to the gendered contradictions inherent in universalism, which presumed citizenship to be male and positioned women as outsiders.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Feminism's Empire delves into the intricate interplay between imperialism and feminism in the late 19th century, highlighting the complexities of conceptualizing pro-imperialist and anti-imperialist positions. Through a comprehensive intellectual and spatial exploration, Carolyn J. Eichner examines the engagement of early French feminists with empire, shedding light on their nuanced approaches to empire-building.

In their engagement with empire, French feminists grappled with the hierarchies and epistemologies inherent in the imperial system. They drew parallels between their gender-based marginalization and the oppressive practices of imperialism. Imperialism and colonialism established gendered and sexualized racial hierarchies that defined categories of inclusion and exclusion, often based on universalist notions and notions of nature that presented colonized people with theoretical yet unattainable paths to integration. Feminists faced similar barriers to full incorporation due to the gendered contradictions inherent in universalism, as the system presupposed citizenship to be male and thus positioned women as outsiders.

Feminism's Empire connects this critical struggle to hierarchical power shifts in racial and national status that created uneasy linkages between French feminists and imperial authorities. It explores how feminists navigated these complex relationships, employing both opposition and collaboration to advocate for gender liberation within the framework of empire. By examining the writings, speeches, and publications of these early feminists, Eichner sheds light on the ways in which they challenged imperialist narratives, promoted feminist ideals, and worked towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501763816