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use the analogue！） _is_ a fight； and his ancient military institutions
and processes keep up the delusion。
As a matter of fact life is growth。 Growth comes naturally； by
multiplication of cells； and requires three factors to promote it；
nourishment； use； rest。 Combat is a minor incident of life； belonging
to low levels； and not of a developing influence socially。
The science of politics； in a civilized community； should have by this
time a fine accumulation of simplified knowledge for diffusion in public
schools； a store of practical experience in how to promote social
advancement most rapidly； a progressive economy and ease of
administration； a simplicity in theory and visible benefit in practice；
such as should make every child an eager and serviceable citizen。
What do we find； here in America； in the field of 〃politics？〃
We find first a party system which is the technical arrangement to carry
on a fight。 It is perfectly conceivable that a flourishing democratic
government be carried on _without any parties at all；_ public
functionaries being elected on their merits； and each proposed measure
judged on its merits； though this sounds impossible to the androcentric
mind。
〃There has never been a democracy without factions and parties！〃 is
protested。
There has never been a democracy； so faronly an androcracy。
A group composed of males alone； naturally divides； opposes； fights；
even a male church； under the most rigid rule； has its secret
undercurrents of antagonism。
〃It is the human heart！〃 is again protested。 No； not essentially the
human heart； but the male heart。 This is so well recognized by men in
general； that； to their minds； in this mingled field of politics and
warfare； women have no place。
In 〃civilized warfare〃 they are； it is true； allowed to trail along and
practice their feminine function of nursing； but this is no part of war
proper； it is rather the beginning of the end of war。 Some time it will
strike our 〃funny spot；〃 these strenuous efforts to hurt and destroy；
and these accompanying efforts to heal and save。
But in our politics there is not even provision for a nursing corps；
women are absolutely excluded。
〃They cannot play the game！〃 cries the practical politician。 There is
loud talk of the defilement； the 〃dirty pool〃 and its resultant
darkening of fair reputations； the total unfitness of lovely woman to
take part in 〃the rough and tumble of politics。〃
In other words men have made a human institution into an ultra…masculine
performance； and； quite rightly； feel that women could not take part in
politics _as men do。_ That it is not necessary to fulfill this human
custom in so masculine a way does not occur to them。 Few men can
overlook the limitations of their sex and see the truth； that this
business of taking care of our common affairs is not only equally open
to women and men； but that women are distinctly needed in it。
Anyone will admit that a government wholly in the hands of women would
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