Changing the Wor(l)d : Discourse, Politics and the Feminist Movement

A critique of the political science research and writing that has been done on the women's movement in the United States, this text argues that such has work has privileged liberal feminism over other feminist activity, much of it more subversive and radical.

Changing the Wor(l)d draws on feminist publishing, postmodern theory and feminist autobiography to powerfully critique both liberal feminism and scholarship on the women''s movement, arguing that both ignore feminism''s unique contributions to social analysis and politics. These contributions recognize the power of discourse, the diversity of women''s experiences, and the importance of changing the world through changing consciousness.

Young critiques social movement theory and five key studies of the women''s movement, arguing that gender oppression can be understood only in relation to race, sexuality, class and ethnicity; and that feminist activism has always gone beyond the realm of public policy to emphasize improving women''s circumstances through transforming discourse and consciousness. Young examines feminist discursive politics, critiques social science methodology, and proposes an alternative approach to understanding the women''s movement.