Feminist Theory Anthology: The '80s
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Why is a German political foundation publishing this concise anthology of feminist theory, in Armenian?
The Heinrich Boell Foundation is part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, which entails social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. We are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities and to the societal and political participation of immigrants. Last but not least, we adhere to the values of non-violence and proactive peace policies.
The South Caucasus Regional office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation has been operating in the region since 2003, promoting democracy and fair social and political systems in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Gender Democracy is one of our fundamental principles. Our Gender Democracy program seeks to enhance a comprehensive democracy, to build an inclusive, participatory system which will ensure full respect for the civil and human rights of all citizens. Realizing that gender is a key factor in shaping societies, we try to promote a political culture that prioritizes values and practices of gender democracy on all levels.
We believe it is of vital importance to promote knowledge and awareness of feminism, in all its richness and complexity – as a philosophy, theory, ideology and political movement. We need to learn not just about its immense emancipatory struggles and significant victories, but also about its internal discussions, conflicts and contradictions.
This book is comprised of seven key pieces that belong to the 1980s feminist theory - however, the articles were selected with an
aim to illuminate questions and debates of the feminist thought throughout the history:
- Judith Butler: Sex and Gender in Simone de Beauvoir's Second Sex;
- Adrienne Rich: Compulsory Heterosexuality;
- Cynthia Enloe: Feminism and Militarism;
- Gayatri Spivak: Can the Subaltern Speak?
- Chandra Mohanty: Under Western Eyes;
- Trinh T. Minh-ha: The Language of Nativism;
- Donna Haraway: Cyborg Manifesto.
The anthology makes it very clear that there are no clear-cut answers to the questions, issues and debates that have been integral to feminism. As publishers, we would love to see this book provide new theoretical and conceptual perspectives to Armenian readers, while also awakening more interest and curiosity toward the discussed topics and opening possibilities for future discussions about issues that have rarely, if ever, been problematized before.