Liberal
feminism is a brand of feminism that pulls from Classical Liberalism. In liberal feminism,
there is a complete demand for equality. External forces such as government should not create
barriers that deny women the ability to pursue whatever path they choose. Like Classical
liberalism, the absence of coercive external forces is the most important element in liberal
feminism. Men and women have the right to be free from "coercive interference." In
this, a call for equality is understood as the absence of barriers and external
control.
Where liberal feminism is different from other forms of feminism is
that it does not seek to have external forces such as the state rectify wrongs that are present.
For example, government laws that would demand equal pay for equal work would be rejected by
the liberal feminist thinker because this represents government exerting coercive control over
businesses. Another example of this would be affirmative action plans that seek to increase
diversification with gender representation. Liberal feminism adheres to Classically liberal
principles that argue that men and women are equally free and should be free of external
coercion. The law "should not treat men and women differently." Whereas other forms
of feminism would see government as a source of action that redress gender wrongs, liberal
feminism does not share this belief. The demand of complete equality and absence of anything
external that does not emphasize it are element that make liberal feminism different than other
forms of feminist theory.
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