Contemporary Feminist Utopianism (Women and Politics)

A new and challenging entry into the debates between feminism and postmodernism, Contemporary Feminist Utopianism challenges some basic preconceptions about the role of political theory today. Sargisson explores current debates within utopian studies, feminist theory and poststructuralist deconstruction. Utopian thinking is offered as a route out of the dilemma of contemporary feminism as well as a way of conceptualizing its current situation. This book provides an exploration of, and exercise in, utopian thought. Contemporary Feminist Utopianism explores current debates within utopian studies, feminist theory and poststructuralist deconstruction. Utopian thinking is offered as a route out of the dilemma of contemporary feminism as well as a way of conceptualizing its current situation. This book provides an exploration of, and exercise in, utopian thought.Divided into three parts, part one is concerned with approaches to utopianism. The approach taken to a phenomenon or idea informs the way that phenomenon or idea will be conceptualized. Different ways of approaching utopianism are examined and challenged. The function of utopian thought, it is suggested, is profoundly transgressive; it provokes paradigm shifts in consciousness. By reference to debates in contemporary feminism and through an exploration of the difference between utopian and poststructuralist thought, part two illustrates that this approach is the most appropriate when conceptualizing contemporary feminism. The third part of the study incorporates a thematic discussion of feminist utopian literature.A new and challenging entry into the debates between feminism and postmodernism, Contemporary Feminist Utopianism challenges some basic preconceptions about the role of political theory today. It offers a new way forward to those frustrated with traditional academic approaches to the world.

Contemporary Feminist Utopianism is a stimulating, original and accessible survey of some of the more complex strands of contemporary thought. Exploring current debates within utopian studies, feminist theory and poststructuralist deconstruction, Lucy Sargisson argues for utopianism as a route out of the dilemma of contemporary feminism as well as a way of conceptualizing its current situation.

The author rejects approaches to utopianism which insist upon utopia as a perfect blueprint for the future. Instead, she identifies a new transgressive utopianism which destroys old certainties in favor of a new and more unsettling vision of a feminist future. This utopianism stresses process over product and is informed by contemporary poststructuralist theories of language. Such a utopianism resists closure, negating and destroying the dualistic system of thought she argues underpins the western tradition.

Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 FORM-BASED AND CONTENT-BASED APPROACHES TO UTOPIANISM......Page 22 FUNCTION-BASED APPROACHES TO UTOPIANISM......Page 52 FEMINISM: SETTING THE TONE FOR A NEW UTOPIANISM......Page 76 UTOPIA AS NO PLACE: THE TRANSGRESSIVE DISCOURSES OF DECONSTRUCTION AND LIBIDINAL FEMINITY......Page 111 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF THE SPIRIT/MATTER RELATION......Page 146 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF THE SELF/OTHER RELATION......Page 182 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF CODES AND GENRE......Page 214 CONCLUSION......Page 239 Bibliography......Page 244 Notes......Page 254 Index......Page 264 Contemporary Feminist Utopianism is a stimulating, original and accessible entry into the debate between feminism and postmodernism, which sets out to challenge some basic preconceptions about the role of political theory. Lucy Sargisson explores current debates within utopian studies, feminist theory and poststructuralist deconstruction, arguing for utopianism as a route out of the dilemma of contemporary feminism as well as a way of conceptualising its current situation. She rejects approaches to utopianism which insist upon utopia as a perfect blueprint for the future, identifying instead a new transgressive utopianism. Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 INTRODUCTION 14 FORM-BASED AND CONTENT-BASED APPROACHES TO UTOPIANISM 22 FUNCTION-BASED APPROACHES TO UTOPIANISM 52 FEMINISM: SETTING THE TONE FOR A NEW UTOPIANISM 76 UTOPIA AS NO PLACE: THE TRANSGRESSIVE DISCOURSES OF DECONSTRUCTION AND LIBIDINAL FEMINITY 111 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF THE SPIRIT/MATTER RELATION 146 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF THE SELF/OTHER RELATION 182 FEMINIST UTOPIAN TRANSGRESSION OF CODES AND GENRE 214 CONCLUSION 239 Bibliography 244 Notes 254 Index 264 Sargisson explores current debates around feminist theory, utopian studies and deconstruction. She argues for utopianism as a way out of the dilemma of contemporary feminism, as well as a way of conceptualizing its current situation Lucy Sargisson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [241]-250) And Index.