This book makes the case for an inclusive form of socialist feminism that puts women with multiple disadvantages at its heart. It moves feminism beyond contemporary disputes, including those between some feminists and some trans women. Combining academic rigour with accessibility, the book demystifies some key feminist terms, including patriarchy and intersectionality, and shows their relevance to feminist politics today. It argues that the analysis of gender cannot be isolated from that of class or race, and that the needs of most women will not be met in an economy based on the pursuit of profit. Throughout, the book asserts the social, economic and human importance of the unpaid caring and domestic work that has been traditionally done by women. It concludes that there are some grounds for optimism about a future that could be both more feminist and more socialist.

Reviews

'Throughout the book, Bryson successfully makes difficult theoretical concepts more accessible, and she consistently points to further reading. Due to this, her book would serve as a useful introductory text for late high school and undergraduate students. Bryson's analysis of feminist socialism and her call for more inclusive communities and policies that start with the most disadvantaged among us is a welcome and highly accessible addition to the literature; and should perhaps be required reading for policy-makers.'
Professional Historians Association, Kirra Minton

1 The sex/gender distinction and the language of sexual violence
2 Sexism and patriarchy
3 Intersectionality: a dry word that can make a lot of sense
4 Trans women and feminism: thinking beyond binaries
5 We need to talk about capitalism
6 Liberalism, neoliberalism and feminism: contradictions and concerns
7 Marxist feminism: reframing the issues
8 Why feminists should logically be socialists (and vice versa)
Conclusions
Index

Author

Valerie Bryson is Emerita Professor of Politics at the University of Huddersfield. Her other books include Feminist Debates (1999), Feminist Political Theory: Third Edition (2016) and Gender and the Politics of Time (2007).