The rise of religious conservatism and right-wing populism has exposed the fallibility of women's rights in liberal states and has seriously undermined women's ability to trust liberal states to protect their rights against religious and populist attacks. Gila Stopler argues that right-wing populists and religious conservatives successfully attack women's rights in liberal democracies because of the patriarchal foundations of liberalism and liberal societies. Engaging with political theories such as feminism, liberalism and populism, and examining concepts like patriarchy, culture, religion and the public-private distinction, the book uncovers the deep entrenchment of patriarchy in legal structures, social and cultural systems, and mainstream religions within liberal democracies. It analyses global cases and legal frameworks, focusing on liberal democracies and especially the USA, demonstrating how patriarchy fuels right-wing populism, accelerates the erosion of women's rights and threatens the future of liberal democracy.
By:
Gila Stopler (College of Law and Business Israel)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 389g
ISBN: 9781009527637
ISBN 10: 1009527630
Pages: 265
Publication Date: 05 June 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction; Part I. The Historical, Societal, and Theoretical Roots of Discrimination against Women: 1. The historical and societal roots of patriarchy; 2. The theoretical roots of discrimination against women in liberal states; Part II. Religion State Relations and Their Effects on Women's Rights: 3. The five facets of religion state relations in liberal democracies and their effects on women's rights; 4. The de-privatization of religion and women's rights: nationalization, authorization and privatization; Part III. The Decline of Liberalism, The Rise of Populism, and The Rights of Women: 5. From private prejudice to public policy: how religious conservatives are regaining control over women's bodies through religious exemptions; 6. The feminist critique of liberalism and the challenge of right-wing populism: from religious exemptions to religious control; Conclusion – the way forward.
Gila Stopler is Full Professor of Law and former Dean of Law School at the College of Law & Business, Israel. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of Law & Ethics of Human Rights.
