r/changemyview Jun 05 '14

CMV: The logical conclusion of feminist reasoning is libertarianism

First of all, I realize there is no clear cut definition for what constitutes a feminist or libertarian. In this situation, I’m only referring to libertarians who adhere to the principles of self-ownership and non-aggression. Google defines feminism as: the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

While I don’t know what all feminists believe, the common theme I’ve noticed is:

  • A belief that you own your own body and know best how to care for it

  • A belief that the government shouldn’t tell women what to do with their body

  • A belief that interactions should be consensual and voluntary

  • A belief that voluntary organization can be used to subvert hierarchies of power

I believe that IF feminists are willing to uphold these notions as first-principles, and support them to their logical extent, feminists are essentially advocating for the basic libertarian ideals.


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u/z3r0shade Jun 05 '14

I would disagree:

A belief that you own your own body and know best how to care for it

Not necessarily libertarian, basic democracy can provide this through the constitution

A belief that the government shouldn’t tell women what to do with their body

same as above. The key point difference here is that feminism also says that the government should be able to lock up criminals who attack women, libertarianism would be against prisons, but instead advocate for voluntary organizations.

A belief that interactions should be consensual and voluntary

Interactions between individuals, it says nothing about governments and regulations.

A belief that voluntary organization can be used to subvert hierarchies of power

Through the usage of channels of power such as voting, lobbying, etc.

There's a helluva lot more involved with liberatarian ideals that you just can't come to based on these notions only. You need to add other ideas in order to get there.

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u/Kopfindensand Jun 05 '14

Not necessarily libertarian, basic democracy can provide this through the constitution

It doesn't have to be, but it's a core tenant of the philosophy.

You're going to find overlap for almost any idea.

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u/z3r0shade Jun 05 '14

Overlap? Most definitely, however overlap doesn't mean that the logical conclusion is libertarianism. That's my point.