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be helped by the assistance of men； that a gynaecocracy must； of its own
nature； be one sided。 Yet it is hard to win reluctant admission of the
opposite fact； that an androcracy must of its own nature be one sided
also； and would be greatly improved by the participation of the other
sex。
The inextricable confusion of politics and warfare is part of the
stumbling block in the minds of men。 As they see it； a nation is
primarily a fighting organization； and its principal business is
offensive and defensive warfare； therefore the ultimatum with which they
oppose the demand for political equality〃women cannot fight； therefore
they cannot vote。〃
Fighting； when all is said； is to them the real business of life； not to
be able to fight is to be quite out of the running； and ability to solve
our growing mass of public problems； questions of health； of education；
of morals； of economics； weighs naught against the ability to kill。
This naive assumption of supreme value in a process never of the first
importance； and increasingly injurious as society progresses； would be
laughable if it were not for its evil effects。 It acts and reacts upon
us to our hurt。 Positively； we see the ill effects already touched on；
the evils not only of active war； but of the spirit and methods of war；
idealized； inculcated and practiced in other social processes。 It tends
to make each man…managed nation an actual or potential fighting
organization； and to give us； instead of civilized peace； that 〃balance
of power〃 which is like the counted time in the prize ringonly a rest
between combats。
It leaves the weaker nations to be 〃conquered〃 and 〃annexed〃 just as
they used to be； with tariffs instead of tribute。 It forces upon each
the burden of armament； upon many the dreaded conscription； and
continually lowers the world's resources in money and in life。
Similarly in politics； it adds to the legitimate expenses of governing
the illegitimate expenses of fighting； and must needs have a 〃spoils
system〃 by which to pay its mercenaries。
In carrying out the public policies the wheels of state are continually
clogged by the 〃opposition；〃 always an opposition on one side or the
other； and this slow wiggling uneven progress； through shorn victories
and haggling concessions； is held to be the proper and only political
method。
〃Women do not understand politics；〃 we are told； 〃Women do not care for
politics；〃 〃Women are unfitted for politics。〃
It is frankly inconceivable； from the androcentric view…point； that
nations can live in peace together； and be friendly and serviceable as
persons are。 It is inconceivable also； that in the management of a
nation； honesty； efficiency； wisdom； experience and love could work out
good results without any element of combat。
The 〃ultimate resort〃 is still to arms。 〃The will of the majority〃 is
only respected on account of the guns o？the majority。 We have but a
partial civilization； heavily modified to sexthe male sex。
WOMAN AND THE STATE
＇A Discussion of Political Equality of Men and Women。 To be read in
connection with chapter 12 of Our Androcentric Culture。＇
Here are two vital factors in human life； one a prime essential to our
existence； the other a prime essential to our progress。
Both of them we idealize in certain lines； and exploit in others。 Both
of them are misinterpreted； balked of their full usefulness； and
humanity thus injured。
The human race does not get the benefit of the full powers of women； nor
of the full powers of the state。
In all civilized races to…day there is a wide and growing sense of
discontent among women； a criticism of their assigned limitations； and a
demand for larger freedom and opportunity。 Under different conditions
the demand varies； it is here for higher education； there for justice
before the law； here for economic independence； and there for political
equality。
This last is at present the most prominent Issue of 〃the woman question〃
in England and America； as the activity of the 〃militant suffragists〃
has forced it upon the attention of the world。
Thoughtful people in general are now studying this point more seriously
than ever before； genuinely anxious to adopt the right side； and there
is an alarmed uprising of sincere objection to the political equality of
women。
Wasting no time on ignorance； prejudice； or the resistance of special
interests； let us fairly face the honest opposition； and do it justice。
The conservative position is this：
Men and women have different spheres in life。 To men belong the
creation and management of the state； and the financial maintenance of
the home and family：
〃To women belong the physical burden of maternity； and the industrial
management of the home and family； these duties require all their time
and strength：
〃The prosperity of the state may be sufficiently conserved by men alone；
the prosperity of the family requires the personal presence and services
of the mother in the home： if women assume the cares of the state； the
home and family will suffer：
Some go even farther than this； and claim an essential limitation in
〃the female mind〃 which prevents it from grasping large political
interests； holding； therefore； that if women took part in state affairs
it would be to the detriment of the community：
Others advance a theory that 〃society；〃 in the special sense； is the
true sphere of larger service for women； and that those of them not
exclusively confined to 〃home duties〃 may find full occupation in
〃social duties；〃 including the time honored fields of 〃religion〃 and
〃charity〃：
Others again place their main reliance on the statement that； as to the
suffrage； 〃women do not want it。〃
Let us consider these points in inverse order； beginning with the last
one。
We will admit that at present the majority of women are not consciously
desirous of any extension of their political rights and privileges； but
deny that this indifference is any evidence against the desirability of
such extension。
It has long been accepted that the position of women is an index of
civilization。 Progressive people are proud of the freedom and honor
given their women； and our nation honestly believes itself the leader in
this line。 〃American women are the freest in the world！〃 we say； and
boast of it。
Since the agitation for women's rights began； many concessions have been
made to further improve their condition。 Men； seeing the justice of
certain demands； have granted in many states such privileges as
admission to schools； colleges； universities； and special instruction
for professions； followed by admission to the bar； the pulpit； and the
practice of medicine。 Married women； in many states； have now a right
to their own earnings； and in a few； mothers have an equal right in the
guardianship of their children。
We are proud and glad that our women are free to go unveiled； to travel
alone； to choose their own husbands； we are proud and glad of every
extension of justice already granted by men to women。
Now：Have any of these concessions been granted because a majority of
women asked for them？ Was it advanc