A compelling, and enlightening, look at feminist anarchism, describing
'what ought to be--and what could be.'

In The Politics of Individualism L. Susan Brown argues for a new vision of human freedom which incorporates the insights of feminism and liberalism into a form of anarchism based on what she calls 'existential individualism.'

The work focuses specifically on the similarities and differences of these political philosophies, by critically examining the liberal feminist writings of John Stuart Mill, Betty Friedan, Simone de Beauvoir and Janet Radcliffe Richards, paying special attention to the issues of employment, education, marriage and the family, and governmental politics. These works are, in turn, compared and contrasted to the anarcho-feminism of Emma Goldman.

Finally, as feminism as a whole movement is subjected to a rigorous critique, in terms of its overall liberatory potential, what emerges is a compelling look at feminist anarchism, describing 'what ought to be--and what could be.'

This book has been a pleasure to read. It is lucid and straightforward; a work accessible to the beginner, but also reccendable as an introduction to both political philosophy and modern political ideologies.
--Anarchist Studies 3.1

A coherent and cohesive analysis of the role of the individual in two sociopolitical philosophies: liberalism and anarchism. This book will interest humanists: the distinction between existential and instrumental individualism is an interesting one.
--Humanist in Canada

The liberal feminist works of John Stuart Mill, Betty Friedan and Janet Radcliffe Richards are critically examined, and compared and contrasted to the anarcho-feminism of Emma Goldman. One of the refreshing points about this analysis is the fact that it makes sense of a lot of modern history.
--Kick It Over

The merit of this book rests in the intention to examine critically liberal feminism and to infuse feminism with a dose of individualism.
--Canadian Journal of Political Science

An eloquent exploration of the philosophical territory encompassing anarchist, feminist and liberal thought...this book provides a mind-tingling analysis of individualist philosophies.
--Kitchener-Waterloo Record

Brown argues for a new vision of human freedom.
--Peace News

A brisk, neatly argued book that carves out a compelling version of feminist anarchism.
--Literary Review of Canada

Table of Contents

L. SUSAN BROWN holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. She has published many articles on the political philosophy of anarchism and feminism, and has had her work translated into Flemish, French, German and Finnish. She works and lives in Toronto.

216 pages, index
Paperback ISBN: 1-55164-202-6 $24.99
Hardcover ISBN: 1-55164-203-4 $53.99

Women's Studies / Politics / Philosophy

October 2002

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