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popular support for it from both usually occur because men as a of war and which then whip up The question of the state and states that are the perpetrators the various institutions which group have clamoured for it. Under capitalism it is nation which Segal does emphasize women's oppression is one uphold male power and men and women. support idealist solutions rather against women's inequality are the fight to recognise women's seen as given and static and as oppression. Practical struggles even seen as of less value than distinct ideas and experience. sociobiologically determined. than practical answers to the This leads these writers to problems of women's biologically or rather to 'feminise the world" and thus view in calling upon women to French defines patriarchy as Marilyn French sums up their caring, warmth and nurturing assert the female principles of power and has determined a morality which worships publication, Beyond Power, thousands of years. Segal save it from destruction. Mary Daly. In a recent social arrangements for
necessary conclusions. She does are even those on the left who do Socialist Outlook No 1 May/June 1987 oppression and this diffusion of materialism; "There is never any point out, however, that there example, had this to say in his book, On the tracks of historical without always drawing the not seem to understand this issue. Perry Anderson, for structures of women's the clearest on these ideas says, programme for the construction of a more humane world...(this) feminism as a philosophy does most sophisticated but surely As French (by no means the principles, for programmes immediate political goals, consciously work towards would contradict feminist * although some feminists not include a political feminists we seek to accentuate female but working for a future which rejects most of the social underlying assumption that as explains that, 'this means not working for a future which is the differences between men between women and men.' distinctions we now draw refutes this view and the psychological level. She and women on the 36
REVIEWS power structures to further their struggle. However, this should Feminists can use the existing be done in such a way as to have their positive side. new and perhaps broader. Segal points out that the broad appeal of the women's movement's ideas must not mean their dilution. She cites all the scapegoat approach did nothing membership of a left group - I to resolve the difficulties and can testify that this kind of possibility of unitary insurgence challenge everything socialist WHITLE WILES against it.' Such assertions SUPPORT CROUP. it critically weakens the 1184*
In looking at the future of the of localism and co-option which way in which the state operates the structures of the local state. can result from involvement in promote action and expose the allude to the potential hazards both locally and nationally to questions as these need to be addressed more thoroughly. Segal attempts to deal with oppression. Segal does not women's movement, such perpetuate women's wives. It should not be forgotten what tragic errors were made by Greenham and even the miners' positive signs that have arisen in have been so difficult for the left future. The struggles of women local government; the struggles inside the Labour Party and in the last few years when things which can give pointers to the of women at Greenham; the healthworkers; the miners' some women in rejecting struggles like those at undoubtedly as guilty of this as rather than with attempting to political situation. Left groups beginning to become obsessed corresponded to the changing provide a perspective for the probably made the situation anyone else and some were structures and ideas intact, worse. In fact, if anything, women's movement which sectarian, as were some socialist feminists were active at the time were with how to keep their when they argued that women's correctly points out. In fact, it is policies to attack women and the movement. Such fragmentation was not an inherent part of that feminists stood for in the 1970s through state policies, as Segal disorientation of the women's government has been able to precisely through using such working class that the Tory oppression is centralised assist in the process of fragmentation and movement.
of the idea of female versus male in this country. Bea Campbell's being put forward by feminists example, are but an extension values. Yet they hardly get a address more concrete issues impeding a clear perspective Lynne Segal has had the ideas on redistributing the but there is also a need to some of the theoretical or wealth between men and women in the family, for philosophical obstacles mention in the book. discussion than it is given in the struggles, though the impact of wives as somehow not feminist. however, Segal welcomes these book: Here were working class Contrary to those feminists, the miners' wives merits more autonomously on a mass scale feminist ideas. What sort of and explicitly influenced by sectarianism became a real This is the point at which problem in the women's women organising movement. became a substitute for building book she so vehemently opposes Segal would not disagree with and this was not always done. this. It is odd then that in her such a broad alliance, namely was the time to reach out and one attempt to actually build independent feminists. This make alliances with broader layers of women, to listen to black feminists for example, broader alliances. Perhaps Socialist feminist groups the National Abortion argues, because of the role of the objective situation, the failure to target in this way she presents a Segal then goes on to address this issue. Key to the decline of because of the difficulties of the decline of the socialist feminist so-called 'sectarian left' within the women's movement of the respond to new issues such as 1970s was the corresponding women in left groups as the black feminism and, Segal current. This came about that current. By selecting
37 accepted as the norm within the movement, but her book is only alliances with men is correct. It debate. Segal's conclusion that addressed by all sections of the workers' movement combined with autonomy, as opposed to is vital that the strategy and courage to challenge many the beginning of an urgent views which have become making alliances with the any outright rejection of tactics this requires be women's movement. and merely an isolated example which those women live? These questions are not even raised by Undoubtedly, such experiences influence will they have on the type of movement altogether? Or was their struggle specific councils for feminist policies. future? Do they signal a new women working within local born of the environment in uncritically at the effects of women's movement of the Segal tends to look Segal. feminist current but something This apart, however, we can actually out of place in a book seeking to build now is not a struggles of women of which whatever problems you may refreshingly inspired by and NAC was surely an example, all agree that what we are replica of the old socialist This hostility to NAC is supportive of the actual think accompanied it. which in general is so Campaign (NAC). Women in left wing groups bear complete way out. As one of the London socialist feminist group generalised crisis of perspective. view of what actually happened. Socialist Outlook No 1 May/June 1987 because of anything I had said one-sided and rather sweeping anyone for failing to provide a to which Segal refers - not The problem for socialist women who was eventually feminists at the time was a or done but because of my as much responsibility as excluded from the South
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something very funny about the Personal Services, and of the myth YOU HAVE to admit that there's respectability and pointing the idea of a bank manager being strung up, smeared with baby contents of a hoover bag, or a establishment - and the film politician begging to have his This is the basic appeal of finger at the hypocrisy of the oil and then pelted with the about breaking the rules of that is Cynthia Payne. It's middle-aged pin-striped morals of the British 'bot-bot' spanked
Socialist Outlook No 1 May/June 1987 ultimately paid with their health Services is an enjoyable and witty British hypocrisy about sex, but both the book and the film fail to liberation, there isn't much in it 'girls' -who worked the London as anything more cheeky than a followed the repressive fifties of ridiculing women, that the film the 'norm', or who need to pay they fail to portray prostitution largely ignore the stories of the streets, paid rent over the odds sexual needs might be outside in particular glorifies. Personal men's 'harmless' pleasures in real costs of men's unfettered sexual expression is of course Perhaps most importantly, for sex. Fair enough. But the Both the book and the film and independance. In fact by limitations. Like the wave of backlash, and a funny dig at plea for sexual tolerance and Cynthia Payne's youth, as a from Payne's point of view, telling the story exclusively question the serious side to sixties sexual rebellion that condemn those men whose and pay-offs to pimps, and fetishising, humiliating or reply to the eighties moral it's all too familiar in its usually met by women. support. Cynthia Payne is not a child of the permissive sixties. It expression - for men and for a gratuitously read a moral lesson But the winning and liberated women could mean nowhere to abortions), that Cynthia Payne for something more serious and audience is invited to scrutinise and inspect, this is nevertheless values, subtly campaigning for expression - for men. We are was from a stern lower middle live and nothing to eat; a time which unashamedly celebrates when independence for young a film that panders exclusively humour of the film is its cover neglected. While for once it is men and their bodies that are public health problem, a film emerged to champion sexual pleasures, and by backstreet class post-war youth (a time being exposed, men that the gratuitous pleasure in sex is of divine retribution from a to male sexual interests and a "healthy' non-judgmental marked for Payne by a real asked to join in and have a laugh, to accept and not to In the 1980s when AIDs ignorance of sex and its backlash has given the