Consistent Democracy: The "Woman Question" and Self-Government in Nineteenth-Century America

In nineteenth-century America, women were the majority who were excluded from full self-government, leading to discussions about the possibilities and limits of popular rule. Consistent Democracy explores these discussions in published opinion from the 1830s through the 1890s, involving a range of writers and theorists who examined women's individual autonomy, familial roles, and participation in the polity with and without the franchise.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the world's first mass democracy, a minority ruled, a phenomenon that raised fundamental questions about the potential and boundaries of popular rule during the era of democracy's global ascendancy. The exclusion of women, regardless of their status as free or enslaved, white or Black, single or married, sparked a deep exploration of self-government and the so-called woman question in published opinion from the 1830s to the 1890s. This study, titled Consistent Democracy, goes beyond the confines of the organized women's rights movement and engages a wide range of voices, including travel writers, domestic advice gurus, activists, educators, novelists, and journalists. These writers delved into the complexities of women's individual autonomy, their roles within families, and their participation in politics, both with and without the franchise.

A diverse array of theorists, reformers, and critics, including foreign observers Alexis de Tocqueville and Harriet Martineau, educator Catharine Beecher, political theorist John Stuart Mill, African American author and activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and historian Francis Parkman, compelled Americans to reassess their popular political ideas and assumptions against the backdrop of a turbulent century marked by the violent end of slavery. Consistent Democracy, by combining intellectual, political, and cultural history, sheds light on how woman questions have been intertwined with democracy throughout the nineteenth century and beyond. It highlights the ways in which women's experiences and struggles have shaped the democratic process and contributed to the development of democratic ideals and institutions.

The exclusion of women from full self-government in nineteenth-century America was a paradox that sparked widespread discussions and debates. While women constituted the majority of the population, they were denied the right to vote, hold political office, or participate in decision-making processes. This exclusion raised questions about the legitimacy of democracy and the role of the people in shaping their government.

The women's rights movement emerged as a response to this exclusion, advocating for women's equal rights and opportunities. Activists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone played a pivotal role in organizing and promoting women's rights, leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.

However, the women's rights movement was not limited to advocating for voting rights. It also addressed broader issues such as economic empowerment, education, and reproductive rights. Women's rights activists worked to dismantle gender-based discrimination and promote gender equality in all aspects of society.

Consistent Democracy explores how these discussions about self-government and the woman question developed in published opinion from the 1830s through the 1890s. It places in conversation a diverse range of writers, including travel writers, domestic advice gurus, activists, educators, novelists, and journalists. These writers explored contested aspects of democratic womanhood, including women's individual autonomy, their familial roles, and their participation in the polity with and without the franchise.

The study also examines the influence of theorists, reformers, and critics on American society. Figures such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Harriet Martineau, who observed American society firsthand, provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of democracy. Educator Catharine Beecher, political theorist John Stuart Mill, and African American author and activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper also contributed to the debate, offering their perspectives on women's rights and democracy.

Consistent Democracy illuminates how woman questions were democracy questions in the nineteenth century and beyond. It demonstrates how the exclusion of women from political participation shaped the democratic process and contributed to the development of democratic ideals and institutions. The study also highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of challenging and dismantling gender-based discrimination in all aspects of society.

In conclusion, Consistent Democracy is a valuable contribution to the study of democracy and women's rights. It explores the complex relationship between self-government, the woman question, and democracy in nineteenth-century America and beyond. By engaging a wide range of voices and perspectives, the study sheds light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of challenging and dismantling gender-based discrimination in all aspects of society.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 242 x 166 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197685839