Feminism comparing strands

state: agree

All feminists agree the state has historically upheld patriarchy, marginalising women’s interests through laws, policies, and institutions

state: disagree

• Liberal feminists see the state as a neutral tool that can be reformed to achieve legal and political equality (e.g. suffrage, equal pay)

• Socialist feminists see the state as an instrument of capitalist patriarchy — real change requires economic restructuring

• Radical feminists believe the state is inherently patriarchal and must be entirely overturned

• Postmodern feminists reject the idea of one universal state experience; focus on how state oppression varies by race/class/sexuality

economy: agree

All feminists agree the economy has contributed to female subordination, particularly through gendered roles and the undervaluing of women’s work

economy: disagree

• Liberal feminists want to remove legal barriers so women can access the same economic opportunities as men

• Socialist feminists argue capitalism creates and sustains patriarchy, using women as a reserve army of labour and unpaid domestic workers; call for socialist revolution

• Radical feminists see economic structures as intertwined with patriarchy, but focus more on sexual and cultural oppression than class

• Postmodern feminists emphasise how economic exploitation varies by identity — e.g. migrant, disabled or LGBTQ+ women face unique barriers

human nature: agree

All feminists agree gender is not biologically determined and that women are capable, rational beings whose potential is socially restricted

human nature: disagree

• Liberal feminists believe men and women are fundamentally the same and seek equality of opportunity

• Socialist feminists see women’s traits and roles as shaped by economic forces and class interests, not human nature, and seek equality of outcome through restructuring society

• Radical feminists often support difference feminism, valuing feminine traits like empathy and care as a basis to restructure society

• Postmodern feminists reject the idea of a fixed human nature and argue gender is entirely performative, socially constructed, and fluid

society: agree

All feminists agree society is structured to maintain male dominance and that it must be transformed to achieve women’s liberation

society: disagree

• Liberal feminists focus on reforming public life (e.g. education, law, work) while keeping existing structures intact

• Socialist feminists argue capitalist society is the root of inequality and must be collectively replaced

• Radical feminists focus on transforming the private sphere, especially the patriarchal nuclear family which they see as the heart of female oppression

• Postmodern feminists argue society’s oppression is fragmented and identity-based — there is no single female experience to "liberate"