74 pages • 2 hours read
Carole PatemanThe Sexual Contract
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Sexual Contract, by Carole Pateman, argues that the foundation of modern civil society is a sexual-social contract that perpetuates patriarchy, with men securing domination and subordination through various agreements. By examining classic and contemporary contract theory, Pateman demonstrates that the public and private spheres are interwoven, maintaining gendered power dynamics in institutions such as marriage, prostitution, and employment.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Academic reviews of The Sexual Contract by Carole Pateman commend the book for its incisive critique of traditional social contract theories and their inherent gender biases. Scholars appreciate Pateman's in-depth analysis and clear argumentation. However, some critique her dense prose and the book's challenging, theory-heavy nature that may not cater to general readers.
Who Should Read The Sexual Contract?
Readers who would enjoy The Sexual Contract by Carole Pateman are typically interested in feminist theory, political philosophy, and social contract theory. Comparable to audiences of John Rawls' A Theory of Justice and Catharine MacKinnon's Toward a Feminist Theory of the State, they seek critical perspectives on societal structures and gender power dynamics.