Radical feminism

Radical feminism at its most specific describes a particular feminist analysis that holds gender divisions, and the patriarchy, as the central defining element of human oppression. It may thus be contrasted with, for instance, Marxism, which views the class struggle as the central defining element of oppression.

More broadly, radical feminism is sometimes used simply in contrast with liberal feminism, to indicate someone who holds both "radical" and "feminist" views. Radical, in this context, means Marxist, socialist, or anarchist views, typically viewing the patriarchy as a class-based form of oppression related to other class-based forms of oppression, such as capitalism and racism. Feminist in this context signals a focus or attention to patriarchal and gender-based oppression, including gender-disparate effects of capitalism; uses of power that differentiate along gender lines; and the ways in which gender-based classes (such as "mother" and "father" in the family) are used to support and maintain other class-based forms of oppression; and the ways in which gender inter-relates with other class oppressions (such as "black men", "white women", "black women", "white men").