Could someone explain the relationship, if any, between libertarianism and feminism? I’m not looking for a historical account of the two traditions but rather if their are theoretical problems in beeing both a feminist and a libertarian?
As I see it, feminism as a political philosophy is not really needed if one is a libertarian because as long as men and women are equal in rights any other form of biological or cultural differences between men and women is a non issue to the libertarian since we are strong opponents of egalitarianism.
If one is a socialist then feminism is always of secondary importance to the economic class struggle embodied in the private ownership of the means of production, and if one is a libertarian, feminism is always of secondary importance to individualism and the non agression axiom. Correct? So is there any point in beeing a feminist even is one adheres to socialism? It seems to me that either way, feminism doesn’t change anything fundamental.
Our gender is part of who we are. Under “pure” socialism the collective wouldn’t treat you different just because you are a woman because the individual doesn’t matter only the collective! And in a anarcho-capitalist society men and women might be treated differently but they would be equal in rights so any difference in treatment besides this would be a non political issue.
Ideas? Comments?