The Political Theory of Christine De Pizan (Women and Gender in the Early Modern World) (Women and Gender in the Early Modern World) (Women and Gender in the Early Modern World)

"Few medieval or Renaissance political writers, male or female, wrote more works on politics than Christine de Pizan; none of them addressed audiences so varied in class or gender. Yet until now there has been no comprehensive full-length study of Christine de Pizan's political thought. With The Political Theory of Christine de Pizan, Kate Forhan rectifies this oversight, situating de Pizan in the history of political thought while discussing traditional concerns of political theorists, such as justice, obligation, law, equality, and just war. Forhan also addresses the question of whether Pizan's work is original or derivative; whether she is a theorist or "merely" a political writer. Between 1400 and 1429, at a time of great civil strife in France, Christine de Pizan wrote ten books for the instruction and guidance of those engaged in political life. Her theory is focused on a "politics of inclusion," which validates the essential contribution of each member of the body politic to the whole, despite socially and politically mandated difference of class, nationality, and gender-ideas not without significance to the modern era. As Forhan demonstrates through analysis of her work, the thought of Christine de Pizan has true relevance for modern times. First, hers was a society in transition: new class structures, new occupations, and new aspirations were appearing behind the crumbling structures of the late medieval world. Secondly, Christine de Pizan was an outsider; a woman in a world dominated by men, an Italian in France, a member of the "meritocracy" at a court that was rigidly hierarchical. Her "difference" gave her the perspective to observe her society objectively. Her personal vulnerability allowed her to see politics more clearly, as those who are most vulnerable might see our own. Thirdly, she was a shrewd observer in a country that was emerging as a nation-state, where new concepts and practices of law, justice, administration, and politics in general were in the process of development. This book will be of interest to political theorists and political scientists; medieval historians; historians of women and gender; and scholars of comparative literature."--Provided by publisher Few Medieval Or Renaissance Political Writers, Male Or Female, Wrote More Works On Politics Than Christine De Pizan; None Of Them Addressed Audiences So Varied In Class Or Gender. Yet Until Now There Has Been No Comprehensive Full-length Study Of Christine De Pizan's Political Thought. With The Political Theory Of Christine De Pizan, Kate Forhan Rectifies This Oversight, Situating De Pizan In The History Of Political Thought While Discussing Traditional Concerns Of Political Theorists, Such As Justice, Obligation, Law, Equality, And Just War. Forhan Also Addresses The Question Of Whether Pizan's Work Is Original Or Derivative: Whether She Is A Theorist Or 'merely' A Political Writer. This Book Will Be Of Interest To Political Theorists And Political Scientists: Medieval Historians: Historians Of Women And Gender: And Scholars Of Comparative Literature.--jacket. Descendants Of Jean Ii, King Of France -- 1. Alone Am I -- 2. An Introduction To The Mirror For Princes -- 3. The Body Politic -- 4. On Kingship -- 5. Justice And The Law -- 6. Peace And Just War -- Conclusion: The Paradox Of Christine De Pizan. Kate Langdon Forhan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [168]-183) And Index. "This title was first published in 2002: Christine de Pizan held no political office and her work was not influencial on any political theorist living today. However, in the disciplines of women's studies and French literature she has inspired intellectual debate, so much that the two sides of the debate are referred to as Christinophiles and Christinoclasts. This book persents the political paradoxes of Christine de Pizan. She was a woman in a man's world, an Italian at a French court, and the daughter of a civil servant in a world structured by social class. Her corpus of political works include five works designed to educate the male ruling class, two works expressly princesses and a treatise on warfare. The goal of this book is to outline the political theory of Christine de Pizan and situate her ideas within the history of political ideas in general."--Provided by publisher. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Preface 7 Acknowledgements 11 Note on the Texts 13 Chronological List of Works and Short Titles 14 Descendants of Jean II, King of France 16 Dedication 17 1 Alone am I 18 2 An Introduction to the Mirror for Princes 44 3 The Body Politic 62 4 On Kingship 93 5 Justice and the Law 127 6 Peace and Just War 150 Conclusion: The Paradox of Christine de Pizan 172 Selected Bibliography 185 Index 201