1. Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal
Chapter 8
Liberation Ideologies and the Politics of Identity
Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains The one who thinks himself the master of others is as much a slave as they.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau,
The Social Contract

2. Common Characteristics of Liberation Ideologies
Each addresses a particular audience: black people, women, homosexuals, native people, etc.
Each group is oppressed or mistreated by a dominant group
Liberation ideologies seek to free oppressed groups from “external” restrictions such as discriminatory laws, as well as “internal” restrictions such as feelings of inferiority
Liberation ideologies attempt to “raise the consciousness” of oppressed individuals
Liberation ideologies also seek to liberate the oppressors from their illusion of superiority

3. Black Liberation
The main division in black liberation is between integrationists and nationalists:
Black integrationists seek full integration into society for black people
Seek to overturn discriminatory laws and ensure black people an equal place in society
Black nationalists argue that integration is not the solution
Black people must first build racial pride and economic self- sufficiency in order to achieve independence
Black people must free themselves from racist thinking that infects both them and whites

4. Black integrationists and black nationalists disagree over the desired goals
Integrationists like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ) (left) pursued liberal goals of individual rights
Primary focus is to ensure the legal equality of black people
Nationalists such as Malcolm X ( )(right) sought to combat racism by focusing on racial pride and black identity
Black people can not become free and equal members of societies that are racist to the core

5. Women’s Liberation (Feminism)
Early advocates of women’s rights included Abigail Adams, Mary Wollstonecraft (left), Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
American women could not vote, hold office, or own property until the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920
The two most influential contemporary variants of feminism are liberal and radical feminism

6. Liberal Feminism vs. Radical Feminism
Liberal feminists seek equal opportunity for women in society
Main barriers are institutional or legal barriers that deny women equal rights
Stress the “sameness” of the two sexes
Radical feminists seek to end discrimination by combating “sexism” – the belief that women are inherently inferior
Sexist beliefs must be exposed and criticized
Emphasize the fundamental “difference” between the two sexes

7. The “Liberal Feminist” View of Freedom
Obstacle:
legal and institutional discrimination
Agent:
women
Goal:
equality of opportunity
The “Liberal Feminist” View of Freedom

8. The “Radical Feminist” View of Freedom
Obstacle:
sexist beliefs and attitudes; male power system
Agent:
women
Goal:
power and respect for difference
The “Radical Feminist” View of Freedom

9. Gay Liberation (LGBT) Gay liberation movement has two main goals:
Repeal discriminatory laws and gain equal opportunities for homosexuals
Overcome homophobic attitudes and mistaken beliefs about gay people
Gay liberationists seek to combat homophobia with “gay pride” marches and other support groups that emphasize the dignity of gay individuals

10. Native People’s Liberation (Indigenism)
Indigenism refers to various native people’s liberation groups that seek to restore the identity, power, and pride that has been stripped from native people
Paternalistic policies have destroyed the identity of native groups and produced a variety of social ills
Native peoples’ liberation groups seek to restore their identity as a people
An individual cannot be free unless his or her people are free as a group from the people who colonized them
Many groups engage in cultural rituals to restore group identity

11. Liberation Theology
Calls attention to the poor, especially in Third World countries, and inspires people to help alleviate poverty
Liberation theology emphasizes political action on behalf of the poor in addition to spiritual concerns
Church focuses too much on orthodoxy (correct beliefs) and not enough on orthopraxis (correct action)
Attempts to raise awareness among Christians and the poor themselves of the injustices of poverty
Liberation theology combines religious inspiration and political action in an effort to free Christians from their indifference to the suffering of the poor

12. Animal Liberation
Animal liberationists seek ethical treatment for animals by raising awareness in human beings
Appeal to human beings who either harm animals or derive some benefit from that harm without preventing it
Speciesism – belief that humans are superior to animals and that animals exist to serve our purposes and pleasures
Animal liberationists seek to free human beings from the confines of speciesism and secure humane treatment for animals also

13. Liberty, Identity, and Ideology
Explanation:
Oppressive conditions result from discriminatory beliefs held by the oppressors and internalization of those beliefs by the oppressed
Evaluation:
Conditions are assessed according to the degree of oppression for particular groups
Orientation:
Oppressed peoples must promote group identity to gain awareness of their oppression
Program:
All seek to end the oppression of a group of people so they may live full and free lives, but many variants disagree on tactics

14. Conclusion
Liberationists tend to think of democracy as a form of self rule
Self-rule is impossible unless people have dignity and self-respect
Liberationists seek to cultivate self-respect and pride in oppressed groups to combat feelings of inferiority
Liberationists seek to educate the oppressors to free them from their mistaken beliefs and attitudes

15. Readings:
Part VIII: Liberation Ideologies and the Politics of Identity
Frederick Douglass — What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
Marilyn Frye—Oppression
John Corvino—Homosexuality: The Nature and Harm Arguments
Cornel West — Race Matters
Mary Wollstonecraft—A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Taiaiake Alfred—Indigenist Pathways of Action and Freedom
Olympe de Gouges—Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen
Gustavo Gutierrez—Liberation Theology
Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions
Peter Singer—All Animals Are Equal