Why Radical and Liberal Feminism are not Enemies
Feminism at its core is about gender equality and justice at all levels. As Gloria Steinem once said, "a feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men", the essence of feminism itself. It is peculiar that feminism remains controversial and often misunderstood, with complex social issues reduced to oversimplified debates. Discussions and debates about feminism often sound like battles between its major branches - liberal vs radical; as if one must win. But what if they were never enemies to begin with?
Liberal feminism, also known as mainstream feminism, represents the first wave of feminism. It emerged during the 18th to 19th century, primarily in Europe. This movement was profoundly influenced by the Age of Enlightenment and the revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality that defined the era. Liberal feminism sought to secure women’s basic rights within existing political and social systems.
A notable moment in this movement occurred during the French Revolution when the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen was written by Olympe de Gouges. Liberal feminism has been remarkably successful in giving girls access to education and securing voting rights, ultimately contributing to viewing women as equals in politics. With time, the movement evolved to support LGBT rights, including trans rights.
Radical feminism emerged as the second wave of feminism in the 1960s. This branch views patriarchy as the root of male domination and challenges stereotypical gender roles. It views gender as a social construct which needs to be dismantled. Radical feminists believe that men as a class dominate women and socially vulnerable men. They argue that a system built around the needs of men is the fundamental problem, and that working within the system does not solve the root problem. Instead, they advocate for dismantling the system and replacing it entirely.
Radical feminists often view religion as a tool of oppression, see marriage as an institution demanding female submission, and argue that sex work reinforces patriarchal norms. Women like Andrea Dworkin explored the complex link between sexual violence and male dominance. Opinions on trans women within radical feminism are mixed, where some actively support them while others consider this a reinforcement of traditional gender roles.
Understanding the Approaches
The Shared Goal: Both liberal and radical feminists want gender equality; they just prefer different methods. Each approach has its own limitations. Liberal feminists might fail to dig deeper into the structural problem, while radical feminists often oversimplify and universalize, frequently resulting in polarization and man-hating generalisations. The question is not who is more progressive or radical, but who is driving meaningful change in society.
Context and Geography Matter: Liberal and radical are terms that remain relative with time and geography. The first wave of liberal feminism was radical for its time. Yet what it achieved (education, suffrage, basic rights) now seems like common sense.
Similarly, in Taliban ruled Afghanistan, providing education and healthcare access for women above grade 6 would be a very radical change for them.
The Rise of Intersectional Feminism: It is worth noting that both these movements have been dominated by middle class white women historically, resulting in a lack of intersectionality and exclusion of women from other social groups. This gap resulted in the birth of intersectional feminism, a branch which advocates for the rights of women across different cultures, race, and class. Intersectional feminism has filled in the gaps of both liberal and radical feminism, creating a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to gender equality. Visit the following post to explore intersectionality in detail:
https://thefeathersofflame.blogspot.com/2025/10/intersectional-feminism-why-gender.html
Whether one works within the system or challenges it altogether, both approaches push society forward in their own ways. The real goal is not to pick sides, it is to keep questioning the structures that hold us back.
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