The Third Wave of Feminism

Why do women experience themselves as alienated from the political culture? What is meant by a truly democratic society? How are women working both inside and outside existing institutions to empower women as equal citizens? How do institutions and ideology underpin women's current position in society? What challenges do the media, the welfare state, established religions and other institutions face from women in the 1990s. Inspired by Charter 88's recent conference, "Can Democracy Work For Women?", this collection of essays answers these and other questions, and explores the different aspects of the current constitutional crisis as they affect women. It looks at how women and feminist issues can be incorporated into, and even animate, the process of democratic renewal. A range of contributors from both academic and activist backgrounds discuss some of the key themes to emerge from the conference in a way which is accessible to a wide readership. They interweave an analysis of gender relations with the themes of race, class, disability and sexuality which also shapes the lives and experiences of women.