13 Feminism and Colonialism
John Stuart Mill: The Subjection of Women (1869)
Overview of Arguments for Women's Political Equality
Mill advocates for political equality among genders, focusing on:
Marriage Law and Property Rights: Mill highlights the constraints women face legally and the need for reform in marriage laws to alleviate suffering.
Exclusion from Professions and Education: He argues that women are often barred from higher education and various professions, limiting their personal and professional development.
Women’s Suffrage: The demand for women's suffrage gained momentum in the late 1840s, but women did not achieve voting rights until 1918 in Britain and 1920 in the US.
The Progress of Civilization
Mill parallels the oppression of women to slavery and serfdom, emphasizing that historical transformation tends to be progressive and inevitable.
Inevitability of Progress: Mill contends that societal changes, including women's rights, are bound to occur and are fundamentally righteous. He claims, "this relic of the past is discordant with the future, and must necessarily disappear."
Moral Justification: The assertion that women will inevitably gain rights is a moral stance, although unprovable definitively.
Mill’s Utilitarian Argument for Political Rights
Greater Utility of Equality
According to Mill, granting equal political rights to women will result in greater overall happiness and utility than maintaining their subjugation:
Legal Reforms: Changing marriage laws will alleviate women's suffering.
Personal Growth: Empowering women to choose their paths fosters happiness and fulfillment.
Enhanced Marital Relations: Gender equality is viewed as a means to improve the institution of marriage itself, promoting mutual respect and cooperation.
Societal Benefits: Mill believes that equality will enhance the collective intelligence and capability, "doubling the mass of mental faculties available for the higher service of mankind."
The Disutility of Inequality
Mill articulates that selfish tendencies and social injustices stem from the current gender inequality:
Justice Over Injustice: He advocates for structures where relationships between genders are founded on justice rather than inequity.
Counterarguments: Acknowledging potential critiques, Mill claims it is not justifiable for women to endure unequal rights under a utilitarian framework.
Colonialism, Race Theory, and Utilitarianism
Consequentialism in Defense of Colonialism
Mill and other utilitarians, including his father James Mill, utilized consequentialist reasoning to justify British colonial practices:
James Mill’s Perspective: In "The History of British India (1817)," he posits that colonial control would eradicate backward customs.
Race Theory Considerations: Essentially, the argument posits that if one race is deemed superior, then colonialism by this race could be seen as maximizing utility.
Stance on Racial Differences
While the Mills reject innate racial superiority, they draw distinctions in moral and intellectual development:
Cultural Influence: They attribute differences to cultural and educational factors, indicating that reform can lead to improvements in subordinate societies.
Potential for Positive Change: Mill supports the notion that colonial governance could enhance laws and institutions in colonies, potentially justifying the moral stance of colonialism in utilitarian terms.
Similarities in Views on Women and Races
Mill argues against inherent gender inferiority, noting that perceived abilities are shaped by social conditions rather than innate differences.
While he does not claim racial superiority, he acknowledges that certain nations exhibit varying levels of moral and intellectual development, influenced by social circumstances.
Summary of Utilitarian Considerations
Mill presents a structured argument:
Colonial governance promises improvements in law and social institutions.
Such improvements can enhance overall utility, positioning colonial rule potentially as morally acceptable under utilitarianism.
Overall, Mill's discussions reflect a complex interplay between utilitarian ethics, social reforms regarding gender equality, and colonial practices, raising critical ethical considerations about the treatment of both women and colonized peoples.