Does Sex Matter to Democracy?

Abstract

In order to isolate, theoretically, the vital mechanisms that constrain women as citizens in Western, democratic societies, it is necessary to go beyond explanations in terms of work, into sexuality However, it is not the practice of sexual coercion which, though a serious wrong, is fundamental in subordinating women in the formally free society; it is rather the freely given—and taken—love. Furthermore, if scrutinizing pre‐democratic, anti‐feminist arguments can help to reveal the situation today, it is the utilitarian view of women's sexual resources, rather than arguments about sexually differentiated—and inferior female—nature, which is crucial. Secondly, the concept of ‘difference’, now so popular among feminist writers, is important, especially when used empirically to avoid oversimplifying unity thinking about each of the sex/gender groups. But it is not tit for conceiving the power transactions going on in the socio‐sexual process Furthermore. I suppose that one of the most important tasks of feminism is to balance the weights of (different) individuality and collectivity to mutually developmental values. Thirdly, women want more than ‘equal chances’, something other than ‘equal results’, and the ‘different but equally valuable’ must, to be women‐worthy, be defined by women themselves. In a democratic society, if women are to be full and equal members, as leaders and led, then women and men have to be openly accepted as two fundamental, interested parties in society Finally, women should not claim this citizen status first and foremost as mothers, but simply as women. i e. as female, social ‘incarnate subjects’.

Poder, género y democracia. De la dominación a la igualdad de género

“…As I enquired the opinion of several of people, I met few individuals who supported the exclusion of women from politics by justifying this phenomenon based on the idea of the difference of nature between men and women. A lesser number of people asserted and accepted the belief that woman should stay away from politics because of the importance of gender roles; a very similar trend of thought as the one of social unity described by Jónasdóttir (1988). There was, however, a great amount of people who, though claimed to be completely in favor of equality between men and women, maintained that gender parity could not be implemented because of the concrete cultural and substantive inequalities between the sexes.…”

Democracy, parity and change. An institutional space for gender relations

“…However, as Rubio-Marín, they have also centered on the issues of domination. See: Walby (1994); Jónasdóttir (1988); Keating (2007); Pateman (1988); Waylen (1994); Beer (2009); Adkins (2008); Boucher (2003). 7 In regards to the private sphere, Raia Prokhovinik (1998) writes, "Women who choose to stay in the private realm are undervalued as people, both by society and by men.…”

“…See Pateman (1988). 16 See also Boucher (2003); Jónasdóttir (1988); Walby (1994); Prokhovnik (1998).…”

“…Other writers have also distanced themselves from an approximation to gender relations that focuses primarily on domination. SeeJónasdóttir (1988).18 For example, Jónasdóttir defends that relations of power should not be reduced to acts of violence. The author holds that one should unveil the acts of power that go beyond physical violence.…”