Feminism, Identity, and Difference

Issues that are at the forefront of feminist thought in the late 1990s are identity, difference, and their implications for feminist politics. As feminism moves into an era in which differences among women, the multiple identities of women, and identity politics are at the centre of feminist discussions, new approaches, methods and politics are called for. Woman as a universal identity that informs feminist theory and practice is no longer a viable basis for feminism. Yet precisely what can replace woman is still unclear. Multiple identities and differences solve some of the questions entailed by woman, yet raise others. The papers here represent attempts to sort through some of these problems and suggest solutions.