zhinxy

socraticapology:

“Contrary to canonical misunderstandings of feminist theories of male violence, I will argue that the central insights of radical feminist analysis can be illuminated by re-reading them in light of a surprising source, by charitably reconstructing Brownmiller’s ‘Myrmidon theory’ [of individual instances of rape creating an over-arching structure of patriarchy] as an unusual but recognizable application of the concept of spontaneous order as developed by libertarian social theorists (most notably, Friedrich Hayek). Re-articulating Brownmiller’s theory in Hayekian terms provides a surprising resource for the radical feminist critique of rape culture; it may also dialectically clarify and enrich the concept of spontaneous order in the context of applying it to the concrete problem.”

Great talk, highly recommended. Also highly recommended is the actual paper, as it has plenty of worthwhile commentary in the footnotes.

This talk is especially worthwhile for fellow libertarians in the following ways:
1. It explains what radical feminists mean when they talk about rape culture in a way that is much more understandable for libertarians,
2. It reminds libertarians that not all spontaneous orders are good,
3. It indicates that the most successful method of attacking patriarchy (sexism at the macro-level of society) is focusing upon its roots of the infection (those micro-level instances of sexism and violence against women) rather than attacking the symptoms (which will occur regardless of whatever laws are on the books and whatever attempts at social engineering are made, as long as the micro-level causes remain).