The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision

Erika Bachiochi's book "The Rights of Women" explores the development of feminist thought in the United States, advancing a vision of rights that rests upon our responsibilities to others. It proposes a philosophical and legal framework for rights that builds on the communitarian tradition of feminist thought, drawing on the insights of prominent figures such as Sarah Grimké, Frances Willard, Florence Kelley, Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Mary Ann Glendon. The book demonstrates that when rights are properly understood as a civil and political apparatus born of the natural duties we owe to one another, they make more visible our personal responsibilities and more viable our common life together.

Format: Hardback
Length: 410 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

In her groundbreaking work, "The Rights of Women," Erika Bachiochi delves into the intricate evolution of feminism in the United States, presenting a novel perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual rights with our responsibilities to others. Drawing inspiration from the profound writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, Bachiochi weaves together a rich tapestry of philosophical insights, biographical portraits, and constitutional law to resurrect a lost vision of women's rights. This visionary approach seamlessly integrates the communitarian tradition of feminist thought, as exemplified by the works of Elizabeth Fox-Genovese and Jean Bethke Elshtain. By drawing upon the wisdom of prominent figures such as Sarah Grimké, Frances Willard, Florence Kelley, Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Mary Ann Glendon, Bachiochi offers a unique and comprehensive exploration of the moral foundations of women's rights in America.

Through her meticulous analysis, she critiques the current trajectory of feminist movements, highlighting their potential to overlook the essential role of the family in personal and political self-government. In "The Rights of Women," Bachiochi posits that when rights are viewed as a civil and political apparatus rooted in our natural duties to one another, they become more visible and tangible, fostering a sense of personal responsibility and enhancing the viability of our shared common life. This insightful and sophisticated application of Wollstonecraft's thought serves as a valuable guide for reevaluating our societal values and promoting authentic personal and political freedom. By valuing the culturally significant work of the home, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable society, where the rights and well-being of all individuals are upheld.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268200817