Women's Rights as Multicultural Claims: Reconfiguring Gender and Diversity in Political Philosophy

Book Details

• Author: Monica Mookherjee

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2011

• ISBN: 9788131604632

• Pages: 208

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches

About the Book

Negotiating Feminism and Multiculturalism: A Discourse of Rights is a compelling exploration of the intersection of feminist and multicultural claims within the framework of rights discourse. In contemporary political theory, the apparent tension between feminism and multicultural justice has become a central issue, and this book critically engages with this debate. Monica Mookherjee brings forward an innovative perspective by drawing on Iris Young's concept of ‘gender as seriality’ to reconceptualize feminism in a manner that addresses cultural diversity and women’s rights.

The book addresses key dilemmas that modern liberal democracies face, including the contentious feminist debates over Hindu practices like widow-immolation (sati), gender-discriminatory Muslim divorce laws in India’s Shah Bano case, forced marriage in South Asian communities in the UK, and the rights of Muslim girls to wear the hijab in state schools in France. It also explores the rights of evangelical Christian parents to exempt their children from secular education.

Mookherjee argues that a rights-based discourse is essential for negotiating a balance between women’s interests and multicultural claims, providing a comprehensive perspective on the challenges of integrating feminism with multiculturalism. This thought-provoking work engages deeply with concepts like human rights, capabilities, toleration, citizenship practices, and cultural rights, offering readers an insightful approach to resolving critical issues in contemporary political philosophy.

Key Topics Covered:

• Feminism and Multiculturalism in Political Theory

• The Practice of Widow-Immolation (Sati) in Hindu Tradition

• Gender-Discriminatory Laws: The Shah Bano Case

• Forced Marriage in South Asian Communities in the UK

• Muslim Girls’ Rights to Wear Hijab in French Schools

• The Politics of Recognition and Toleration

• Rights, Citizenship, and Communitarianism

About the Author
Monica Mookherjee is a Lecturer in Political Philosophy at Keele University, specializing in contemporary political theory. Her research focuses on the intersections of feminism, multiculturalism, and rights discourse, providing a unique and valuable perspective on the ethical and political challenges of modern liberal democracies.