Against Marriage
An Egalitarian Defence of the Marriage-Free State
Published on 27. July 2017
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-19-874400-9 (ISBN)
Description
Against Marriage is a radical argument for the abolition of state-recognised marriage. Clare Chambers argues that state-recognised marriage violates both equality and liberty, even when expanded to include same-sex couples. Instead Chambers proposes the marriage-free state: an egalitarian state in which religious or secular marriages are permitted but have no legal status.
Part I makes the case against marriage. Chambers investigates the critique of marriage that has developed within feminist and liberal theory. Feminists have long argued that marriage is a violation of equality since it is both sexist and heterosexist. Chambers endorses the feminist view and argues, in contrast to recent egalitarian pro-marriage movements, that same-sex marriage is not enough to make marriage equal. Chambers argues that state-recognised marriage is also problematic for liberalism, particularly political liberalism, since it imposes a controversial, hierarchical conception of the family that excludes many adults and children.
Part II sets out the case for the marriage-free state. Chambers critically assesses recent theories that attempt to make marriage egalitarian, either by replacing it with relationship contracts or by replacing it with alternative statuses such as civil union. She then sets out a new model for the legal regulation of personal relationships. In the marriage-free state regulation is based on relationship practices not relationship status, and these practices are regulated separately rather than as a bundle. The marriage-free state thus employs piecemeal, practice-based regulation. Finally, Chambers considers how the marriage-free state should respond to unequal religious marriage. The result is an inspiring egalitarian approach that fits the diversity of real relationships.
Part I makes the case against marriage. Chambers investigates the critique of marriage that has developed within feminist and liberal theory. Feminists have long argued that marriage is a violation of equality since it is both sexist and heterosexist. Chambers endorses the feminist view and argues, in contrast to recent egalitarian pro-marriage movements, that same-sex marriage is not enough to make marriage equal. Chambers argues that state-recognised marriage is also problematic for liberalism, particularly political liberalism, since it imposes a controversial, hierarchical conception of the family that excludes many adults and children.
Part II sets out the case for the marriage-free state. Chambers critically assesses recent theories that attempt to make marriage egalitarian, either by replacing it with relationship contracts or by replacing it with alternative statuses such as civil union. She then sets out a new model for the legal regulation of personal relationships. In the marriage-free state regulation is based on relationship practices not relationship status, and these practices are regulated separately rather than as a bundle. The marriage-free state thus employs piecemeal, practice-based regulation. Finally, Chambers considers how the marriage-free state should respond to unequal religious marriage. The result is an inspiring egalitarian approach that fits the diversity of real relationships.
Reviews / Votes
The book is interesting and accessible, and at the cutting edge of scholarly work about alternatives to marriage. * Adrian Thatcher, Marriage, Families & Spirituality * This book is an important and distinctive addition to the burgeoning literature on liberalism and state-sponsored marriage ... this is a creative and thought-provoking book * Eric Cave, Australasian Journal of Philosophy * Chambers's Against Marriage is an extremely important work that will surely spark debate and further discussion on this topic. * Christie Hartley, Hypatia Reviews * Clare Chambers' Against Marriage: An Egalitarian Defence of the Marriage-Free State ... exhibit[s] logical rigor, clarity of structure, lucidity of thought, and crisp prose. ... Clare Chambers breathes new life into radical feminist critiques of marriage and classical liberal critiques of states that give their imprimatur to specific notions of the good life in order to argue that state-recognized marriage is fundamentally unjust. ... Her book demonstrates how the strengths of analytical political philosophy can be powerfully mobilized as a resource for motivating political change. * Comments from the David Easton Prize Committee * Chambers' Against Marriage is a wonderful addition to a growing literature demanding that we think seriously about the institution of marriage and how it may have to be altered to meet the demands of justice and equity her articulate and thoughtful arguments have made me think more seriously about many issues involving marriage. * Robert Scott Stewart, Metapsychology Online Reviews * I found Chambers persuasive: Against Marriage compelled me to rethink some of my ideas on the subject and brought much greater precision to others. And even those who disagree with much more of it will have to engage with it, as an integrated and reasonably comprehensive analysis of how the state should approach marriage. * Danny Yee, Danny Yee Reviews * I highly recommend Chambers' book as an important scholarly and pedagogical resource. It is beautifully crafted and makes an important contribution to the literature in liberal political theory and, more specifically, to the philosophical literature on marriage and family. ...It was my distinct pleasure to read this book and be provoked by its arguments into a better understanding of both liberalism's promise and its limitations with regard to its support of diverse forms of relationship. * Shelley M. Park,Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews * Clare Chambers puts together a well thought out rejection of state recognized marriage based on the notion that such marriages are gendered and heterosexual in nature while undermining liberty and equality. ... The book is interesting and thought-provoking and Chambers is able to explain why she believes that a marriage-free state is needed. * Hennie Weiss, Metapsychology Online Reviews *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
529 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-874400-9 (9780198744009)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
07/2019
Oxford University Press
€35.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
09/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.99
Available for download
E-Book
09/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.99
Available for download
Person
Clare Chambers is University Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. She works on contemporary political philosophy, with particular focus on feminism, liberalism, and theories of social construction. She is the author of numerous chapters and articles on topics such as autonomy, choice, and consent; the body, appearance norms, and cosmetic surgery; multiculturalism, religion, and social practices; and equality and theories of justice. She is also the author of two previous books: Sex, Culture, and Justice: The Limits of Choice (Penn State University Press, 2008) and, with Phil Parvin, Teach Yourself Political Philosophy: A Complete Introduction (Hodder, 2012).
Content
PART ONE: AGAINST MARRIAGE; PART TWO: THE MARRIAGE-FREE STATE