A debate on the constitution of subject in feminist theory and politics

Abstract

The category of the “subject” in feminist theory and politics has been a heated debate since the beginning of the feminist movement. Considering “woman” as a theoretical subject and women as material beings in the world, the possibility, necessity and usefulness of the category of “woman” will be argued in this dissertation. I will discuss the subject of “woman” in feminism with respect to these problems, first in a historical context. Then I will present Judith Butler’s theory which opposes the necessity of the category of “woman” for feminism and her criticism of feminism as “identity politics.” Next, I will present the problems with the usage of this category based on specific examples in the history of feminism (ambiguity of protective policies, problem of recognition and LGBTI+ movement, differences among women and intersectionality). I will conclude by explaining this tension between feminist theory and politics that feminism gets its strength from, and makes feminism a self-critical, productive, and challenging movement.