35th Annual Student Research Conference
Sexual Anarchy: Remapping the Social Lines of Sex Abstract
Will Henrickson
Dr. Natalie Alexander, Faculty Mentor
In this paper I argue that anarchy is an appropriate model for restructuring social constructions of sexuality and gender. By using Colin Ward’s description of social anarchy, and Deleuze and Guattari’s description of assemblage theory it is made clear that the state, capitalism, and gender are upheld by dichotomous frameworks. Therefore, by thinking of anarchy as assemblage, dichotomy in social relationships is dismantled, both between the state and citizens and between sexuality and gender. This theory is mapped on the socius of gender and leads us to a plateau of post feminism. Rather than thinking that society has moved past a need for feminism, contrarily I argue that to be post-feminist we must break the chains of the gender binary to free both sexuality and gender from dichotomy. The paper concludes with an application of this theoretical framework by analyzing the state of queer politics in the United States.
Keywords: Feminism , Queerness , Anarchy , Assemblage , Capitalism , Politics, Marx, Deleuze
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Women's and Gender Studies
Political Science
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 104-6
Location: SUB GEO C
Time: 9:45