The Power of Feminist Theory: Domination, Resistance, Solidarity (Feminist Theory and Politics)

Power is clearly a crucial concept for feminist theory. Insofar as feminists are interested in analyzing power, it is because they have an interest in understanding, critiquing, and ultimately challenging the multiple array of unjust power relations affecting women in contemporary Western societies, including sexism, racism, heterosexism, and class oppression.In The Power of Feminist Theory, Amy Allen diagnoses the inadequacies of previous feminist conceptions of power, and draws on the work of a diverse group of theorists of power, including Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, and Hannah Arendt, in order to construct a new feminist conception of power. The conception of power developed in this book enables readers to theorize domination, resistance, and solidarity, and, perhaps more importantly, to do so in a way that illuminates the interrelatedness of these three modalities of power. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 12 1 Feminist Conceptions of Power: A Critical Assessment 18 Power as Resource 19 Power as Domination 22 Power as Empowerment 29 Conclusion 35 2 The Genealogy of Power: Michel Foucault 42 Foucault's Conception of Power 44 A Theory for Women? 48 A Theory for Feminists 59 Limits to the Collaboration: Resistance, Agency, and Solidarity, 64 Conclusion 67 3 Power Trouble: Judith Butler's Feminist Genealogy of Power 76 Performativity: Take One 77 Performativity: Take Two 82 Limitations to Performativity 86 Conclusion 92 4 The Power of Solidarity: Hannah Arendt 98 Foucault, Butler, and Arendt: An Unlikely Alliance 99 Arendt's Conception of Power 109 Beyond Sisterhood: Rethinking Solidarity 114 A Limitation to Arendt's Conception of Power 121 5 A Feminist Conception of Power 130 Defining Power 132 Methodological Considerations 140 Bibliography 150 Index 158 "Power is clearly a crucial concept for feminist theory. Insofar as feminists are interested in analyzing power, it is because they have an interest in understanding, critiquing, and ultimately challenging the multiple array of unjust power relations affecting women in contemporary Western societies, including sexism, racism, heterosexism, and class oppression. In The Power of Feminist Theory, Amy Allen diagnoses the inadequacies of previous feminist conceptions of power, and draws on the work of a diverse group of theorists of power, including Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, and Hannah Arendt, in order to construct a new feminist conception of power. The conception of power developed in this book enables readers to theorize domination, resistance, and solidarity, and, perhaps more importantly, to do so in a way that illuminates the interrelatedness of these three modalities of power."--Provided by publisher In The Power Of Feminist Theory, Amy Allen Diagnoses The Inadequacies Of Previous Feminist Conceptions Of Power And Draws On The Work Of A Diverse Group Of Theorists Of Power, Including Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, And Hannah Arendt, In Order To Construct A New Feminist Conception Of Power. Allen Illuminates The Interrelatedness Of Domination, Resistance, And Solidarity, Enabling The Reader To Understand And Theorize On These Three Modalities Of Power.--jacket. 1. Feminist Conceptions Of Power: A Critical Assessment -- 2. The Genealogy Of Power: Michel Foucault -- 3. Power Trouble: Judith Butler's Feminist Genealogy Of Power -- 4. The Power Of Solidarity: Hannah Arendt -- 5. A Feminist Conception Of Power. Amy Allen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 139-150) And Index. This book represents a bold, original, and remarkably lucid effort to develop a new and more adequate feminist conception of power. It discusses the inadequacies of feminist conceptions of power and draws on the work of a diverse group of theorists of power.