Pateman On Locke Essays - 1259 Words

For years social contract theorists had monopolized the explanation of modern society. John Locke was among those who advocated this theory of a collectively chosen set of circumstances. Carole Pateman, on the other hand rejects many of the pillars of the social contract and specifically attacks certain aspects of Lockes argument regarding paternalism and patriarchy. Pateman defends her idea that the individual about which Locke writes is masculine, instead of the gender-encompassing form of the word quot;man.quot; Pateman also argues that Locke denies the individuality of women. Instead of scrapping his entire work, however, she grants him a couple of concessions, even acknowledging Locke as anti-patriarchal. If John Locke were around†¦show more content†¦Much like the other social contract theorists, Pateman believes that Locke leaves women out of the picture. In Patemans eyes Locke excludes women from quot;participation in the act that creates civil society.quot;(Sexual Contract: 21) Others have generously argued that Locke omitted women from the original contract in order to keep from alienating his (male) audience or, even though they are not mentioned directly, women still quot;could have been party to the social contract.quot;(Sexual Contract:21) Pateman believes his omission was the direct result of Lockes idea of an individual being masculine. When Locke speaks of man and mans role in the social contract, Pateman takes quot;manquot; literally to mean the male gender instead of as a universal term. Pateman also concerns herself with Lockes status as a believer in paternal or parental power. Although Locke stresses the Bibles fifth commandment (Honor thy father and mother) he does not extend womens equality to other arenas. Instead, according to Pateman, quot;the husband still exercises power over his wife, but the power is less than absolute.quot;(Sexual Contract: 22) It is in this manner that Pateman attributes male dominated government and politics to a traditional patriarchal system. To quote Pateman directly: The genesis of the (patriarchal) family is frequently seen as synonymousShow MoreRelatedWeaknesses Of Social Contract Theory928 Words   |  4 Pagesthat enforces the contract and the laws that come with it. Some political theorists, such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, have differing views as to what the state of nature is and what should constitute as a social contract. One difference is Hobbes’s theory of the Social Contract supports the idea of absolutism while providing very little to no value to the individual, whereas Locke supported the individual and not the government. These social contract theorists have elements which a feminist canRead MoreSocial Contract And The Civil Society979 Words   |  4 Pagescitizens. Indeed the human behaviour described seems alien to us, and Hobbes is criticised for his narrative of human behaviour and psychology (Hampton 1999). More importantly, the persons living in the state of nature of the classical theorists, Hobbes, Locke, and to a lesser extent, Rousseau, are simplistic generalisations. Dicus (2015) argues that the state of nature as a model needs more developed descriptions of persons, rather than generalised threats, to more effectively explain the shift from theRead MoreEducation: Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire Essay1435 Words   |  6 Pagesbe used by a nation and the problems it entails that would have to be discussed for modern uses. 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