1. Short Answer Questions

2.  Short Answer Questions are marked out of 15 5 marks for knowledge/understanding ; 7 marks for analysis and evaluation ; 3 marks for quality of communication.  You should spend 15 mins on each answer – 250 to 300 words.  Questions may have two parts eg: How and why (answer both) not  Answers should be concise – you do not need an introduction or a conclusion. The questions focus on narrow parts of the specification – this will usually require a definition and explaining why or how concept you are looking at is important.  Answers require precise definitions, an accurate use of terminology, supporting facts, quotations and names.  Unit 4 liberalism, conservatism and socialism. within  Unit 4 examines ideological traditions that have developed out of, or emerged in opposition to, liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Questions in Unit 4 are more likely to look at links/criticisms associated with liberalism, conservatism and socialism than comparing topics within Unit 4.

3. Short answer questions tend to focus on the following areas:  Sex and Gender  Views of Politics  Patriarchy  Egalitarian feminism and difference feminism  Different types of Feminism  Different types of Feminism (liberal, socialist and radical. These questions tend to be set if there is no essay on Feminism)

4. Questions on Sex and Gender Questions on Sex and Gender Typical questions: Why have feminists stressed the distinction between sex and gender? Distinguish between sex and gender, and explain its implications for feminist theory.

5. Why have feminists stressed the distinction between sex and gender? SexGender Sex refers to biological differences. Gender refers to cultural (socially-produced), usually operating through contrasting stereotypes of masculinity and femininity. Feminists stress the distinction to: how  help explain how patriarchal oppression operates (oppression derives from patriarchy not from biological differences eg women are seen as weak, emotional and suited only to domestic life/work) achievable  emphasise that sexual equality is achievable (biology is not destiny) E ssentialist feminists E ssentialist feminists, however, reject the distinction, arguing that there are fundamental and ineradicable differences between men and women.

6. Questions on views of Politics Questions on views of Politics Typical question: Why have radical feminists proclaimed ‘the personal is the political’?

7. Why have radical feminists proclaimed that the ‘personal is the political’? Traditionally politics takes place in the public sphereoperation of government, parties etc Family life and personal relationshipsnot seen as ‘political’, private realm. Traditionally politics is seen as an activity which takes place in the public sphere. It is thus associated with the operation of government, parties etc. Family life and personal relationships are thus not seen as ‘political’, they are part of a private realm. Radical feministsbroader view of what politics is Millett power-structured relationships, arrangements whereby one group of persons is controlled by another‘personal is the political’ Radical feminists, however, have a broader view of what politics is, eg Millett describes politics as ‘power-structured relationships, arrangements whereby one group of persons is controlled by another’. Thus the ‘personal is the political’. According to this view, the family is the heart of the politics. gender divisions within family/domestic life structure all other aspects of society For radical feminists, gender divisions within family/domestic life structure all other aspects of society. This occurs though a process of conditioning as girls and boys are encouraged to adopt contrasting female and male stereotypes based on their mother's and father's family roles. Eg, discrimination against women in jobs and political life reflects what happens in the family. social role of women will only be altered sexual revolution Thus the social role of women will only be altered by a sexual revolution that overthrows and replaces the patriarchal family and values/culture that help to sustain it. Legal and political reforms do not get to the core of the problem. Some weak responses wrote about feminism generally, particularly the different approaches of liberal feminists, socialist feminists and radical feminists to the idea of the public/private divide.

8. Questions on views of Patriarchy Questions on views of Patriarchy Typical question: How and why have feminists used the concept of patriarchy? What role does the concept of patriarchy play in feminist analysis? What is patriarchy, and why is this important in feminist analysis?

9. Patriarchy Patriarchy literally means rule by the father, and refers to the domination of the husband/father within the family in the subordination of his wife and children. However, the term is usually used in the general sense of ‘rule by men ’, drawing attention to the oppression and exploitation to which women are subjected. Patriarchy thus implies that the system of male power in society at large both reflects and stems from the domination of the father in the family. Patriarchy is important because it provides a conceptual basis for understanding and explaining the system of gender inequality and oppression that feminists believe is neglected by conventional political thought. Gender divisions are deeper and more politically significant than divisions based on nationality, social class, race etc. Whereas conventional political theory treats gender relations as natural, feminist theorists, through the notion of patriarchy, view them as part of the political institution of male power. Radical feminists Radical feminists use patriarchy to draw attention to the systematic, institutionalised and all-encompassing character of male power, present in all social institutions and every society. The dominance of the husband-father within the family is at the heart of problem.

10. Questions on egalitarian feminism and difference feminism Questions on egalitarian feminism and difference feminism Typical question: Why have some feminists rejected the idea of gender equality?

11. difference’ refers to different treatment Feminism has traditionally been associated with a commitment to gender equality. From this egalitarian perspective ‘ difference’ refers to the different treatment of women as a result of patriarchy, in which case feminism seeks to liberate women from difference. This results in the creation of an androgynous society. difference feminists rather than reject androgyny subscribe to essentialism, fundamental and ineradicably differences between women and men. However, difference feminists have broken away from this egalitarian feminism and emphasise difference rather than equality. They reject androgyny and subscribe to essentialism, the idea that there are fundamental and ineradicably differences between women and men. ‘male identified’ From this perspective, to want to be equal to a man implies that women are ‘male identified’, in that they define their goals in terms of what men are or what men have. They wish to be ‘like men’, and thus ape the competitive/aggressive behaviour characteristic of male society. separatism and political lesbianism. This rejection of equality enables separatist feminists to be ‘woman identified, and take a ‘pro-woman’ position. This has led to ideas on separatism and political lesbianism.

12. Questions on different types of feminism Questions on different types of feminism These questions tend to focus on liberal feminism and radical feminism. Typical question: Outline differences between liberal feminism and radical feminism.

13. Liberal feminists individualism Radical feminists sisterhood Liberal feminists believe in individualism and stress the importance of personal identity over gender identity. Radical feminists emphasise the importance of sisterhood based upon the belief that gnder divisions are the deepest and most politically significant divisions in society. Liberal feminists formal equality ( equal legal and political right public sphere R adical feminists 'the personal is the political' gender inequality public sphere is merely reflection of the oppression that operates in family or domestic life. Liberal feminists focus on formal equality ( equal legal and political rights) the public sphere. R adical feminists argue that formal equality has done little to alter a patriarchal society. They believe that 'the personal is the political' - gender inequality in the public sphere is merely reflection of the oppression that operates in family or domestic life. Liberal feminists conventional means, ie they have faith in the democratic/legal system R adical feminists revolution Liberal feminists believe in reform brought about by conventional means, ie they have faith in the democratic/legal system. R adical feminists believe in revolution involving the overthrow and replacement of patriarchy, eg Sheila Cronan, freedom for women cannot be won without the abolition of marriage'. some radical feminists Could also mention that some radical feminists believe in essentialism and support separatism or endorse political lesbianism. Weak responses descriptive account Weak responses tended to provide a descriptive account of the key features of each tradition, ending up with little more than a list.

14. Essay Questions

15.  Essays require broader knowledge than short answer questions, but your answer still needs to be focused. Questions will be open ended - they may permit two or more legitimate answers.  Answers should have a beginning (introduction), a middle (argument) and an end (conclusion)  Introduction should:  Define key terms used in the question  Show an understanding of the point of the question  Outline argument to be adopted/conclusion favoured. This is optional  Argument should:  Make points in a logically related order  Consider contrasting viewpoints (for/against, +s/-s, benefits/drawbacks)  Support points with appropriate evidence (make a point and prove it)  Qualify points where appropriate (however, on the other hand etc)  Conclusions  Are needed (do not ‘sit on the fence’ unless the question invites you to)  Should be short and clear. Start with a one sentence answer to the question set (in conclusion…)  Summarise key factors that support your conclusion (no new material)

16. Feminism essays tend to fall into the following areas:  Similarities and differences between strands of feminism  Feminism and other ideologies  Liberal and radical feminism

17. Questions on similarities and differences between strands of feminism Questions on similarities and differences between strands of feminism Typical questions: Feminism is characterised more by disagreement than agreement. Discuss To what extent is feminism a single doctrine?

18. Feminism is characterised more by disagreement than agreement. Discuss This essay has three aspects to it:  Explaining areas of agreement  Explaining areas of agreement between feminists Feminism is characterised by the unifying beliefs that women and men are treated differently because of their sex, and that such differences can and should be overthrown.  Examining disagreements within feminism liberal, socialist and radical  Examining disagreements within feminism - liberal, socialist and radical feminist positions, which are based on contrasting theoretical assumptions, analyses of the nature of gender oppression, and ideas for political action., eg tensions between androgyny and essentialism within  Explaining differences within the three main feminist traditions, eg not all socialist feminist agree with each other

19. To what extent is feminism a single doctrine? The most common approach explored differences within feminism by looking at the features of the three main doctrines: liberal, socialist and radical feminism Better answers:  highlighted how Feminism is a single doctrine in the sense that all feminists believe that society is characterised by unequal gender power and status, and that gender inequality can be altered or reversed.  highlighted how Feminism is a single doctrine in the sense that all feminists believe that society is characterised by unequal gender power and status, and that gender inequality can be altered or reversed. All forms of feminism are thus committed to advancing the social role of women.  explained and analysed the differences and similarities within each of the feminist sub-traditions rather than producing a descriptive essay.

20. Questions on feminism and other ideologies Questions on feminism and other ideologies Typical question: 'There are liberal feminists, socialist feminists and radical feminists, but no conservative feminists. ' Discuss. ‘Feminism is compatible with many political doctrines, but not with conservatism.’ Discuss. To what extent is feminism compatible with other political ideologies?

21. ‘Feminism is compatible with many political doctrines, but not with conservatism.’ Discuss. explain feminism’s compatibility with liberalism and socialism. how and why  For the first part of the essay you need to explain feminism’s compatibility with liberalism and socialism. This requires an explanation of how and why liberal and socialist ideas have been used to advance feminist arguments, not just a description of liberal feminism and socialist feminism. Liberal feminism individualism Liberal feminism derives from a belief in individualism, which suggests that gender differences are at best secondary and should not affect the rights and opportunities of women and men. This form of equal-rights feminism aims to establish for women and men equal access to the public sphere, bringing about change through incremental reform. Socialist feminism critique of capitalism to explain gender inequality Socialist feminism uses the socialist critique of capitalism to explain gender inequality, implying that class exploitation and sexual oppression are linked social processes. For Marxists, both have their root in the institution of private property.

22. areas of tension between feminism and both liberalism and socialism  You then need to look at areas of tension between feminism and both liberalism and socialism. liberalism For example, liberalism is mainly concerned with the individual rather than with gender identities which are collectivist in nature. socialists Similarly, socialists have often regarded sexual politics as less important than class politics, seeing the struggle for social justice as more important than the struggle for sexual justice. Radical feminists Radical feminists challenge the idea of compatibility with other doctrines, as neither liberalism nor socialism acknowledges the fundamental political importance of gender divisions and its roots in family and personal life. Feminism is much less compatible with conservatism  Then look at ways in which Feminism is much less compatible with conservatism Traditional Conservatives natural and creates social order/stability Traditional Conservatives believe that the traditional role of women as housewives/mothers is natural and creates social order/stability, eg mothers are seen as neglecting their children if they put their education or career before their family duties. Rise in crime and vandalism can be blamed on working mothers.

23. Conservative Conservative ideas are based on a belief in: - tradition, - tradition, which legitimises the sexual division of labour organic society -an organic society, which implies that biological differences determine, and legitimise, their different social roles hierarchy - hierarchy which suggests male 'breadwinners' will inevitably have a different social position from female 'homemakers'. New Right conservative strand The New Right contains a paradox in relation to feminism. The conservative strand strongly supports traditional family values (and hence patriarchy and gender inequality). liberal strand The liberal strand supports individualism, equality of opportunity and a meritocracy irrespective of sex, race or religion. as an ideology Party. Remember the focus is on conservatism as an ideology not on the views and policies of Cameron and the modern Conservative Party. Just writing about more women candidates/MPs etc does not get you very far.