Gay Marriage And Democracy
In this provocative new work, R. Claire Snyder argues that the fundamental principles of American democracy not only allow but require the legalization of same-sex marriage. In addition to explaining the theoretical issues at stake, the book provides a short history of marriage, disentangling its interpersonal, communal, religious and civil components. In clear and concise language, Snyder examines and systematically addresses numerous critiques of same-sex marriage, including religious...
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In this provocative new work, R. Claire Snyder argues that the fundamental principles of American democracy not only allow but require the legalization of same-sex marriage. In addition to explaining the theoretical issues at stake, the book provides a short history of marriage, disentangling its interpersonal, communal, religious and civil components. Publishers Weekly Snyder has written a terse handbook of rebuttals to most every anti-gay marriage argument out there-and states that a legitimate democracy must legalize gay marriage. An assistant professor of government and politics at George Mason University, Snyder backs up this claim with 27 clearly argued pages of political theory that are the best part of this book. The argument hinges on the concept of just law as defined by Martin Luther King Jr. and upheld by the Supreme Court: "a code that a majority compels a minority to follow [and] that it is willing to follow itself." Because heterosexuals would not be willing to have their own marriages prohibited, they cannot legitimately prohibit it for homosexuals. Snyder neatly disentangles the legitimate claims of religion (to live according to one's moral framework) from those that are antidemocratic (to impose one's moral framework on others). She also takes on biblical arguments, rehashing some well-known controversies but adding useful Jewish perspectives. By foregrounding the political traditions on which American democracy rests, Snyder gives those on the left a considerable weapon against assertions that religious traditions should guide the nation's future. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Ch. 1What does same-sex marriage have to do with democracy?1Ch. 2What is marriage?15Ch. 3The logic of liberalism : American political theory and the case for gay marriage47Ch. 4A false consensus : Christian right politics and the attack on same-sex marriage75Ch. 5Neopatriarchy and the agenda of the antigay right107Ch. 6Are lesbian and gay Americans actually citizens? : the homophonic myopia of communitarianism137Ch. 7Marriage equality and sexual freedom : toward a more progressive union161
\ ChoiceIn presenting her own argument concisely, the author neatly synthesizes a wide swath of legal and theoretical literature in building her case ans in answering critics in the communitarian, religious conservative, and queer libertation schools of thought. . . . this well-written text enhances both introductory and more advanced conversations about and issue that seems certain to remain front and center in American political debates through the first decade of the century. Highly recommended.\ \ \ \ \ Rhetoric and Public AffairsAs a book that hopes to 'convince the read that the fundamental principles of American Democracy not only allow but also require the legislation of same-sex marriage,' Claire Snyder's Gay Marriage and Democracy archives its purpose well. By the end, I found myself convinced of the central argument through her thorough use of evidence, deep citation, and varied examples. One of the greatest achievements of this book is the multi-angled approach it takes to scholarship….Snyder makes compelling and relevant arguments for her central goal, and thus Gay Marriage and Democracy stands as a good resource for anyone engaging academic debates on democracy, rights, or same-sex marriage.\ \ \ Publishers WeeklySnyder has written a terse handbook of rebuttals to most every anti-gay marriage argument out there-and states that a legitimate democracy must legalize gay marriage. An assistant professor of government and politics at George Mason University, Snyder backs up this claim with 27 clearly argued pages of political theory that are the best part of this book. The argument hinges on the concept of just law as defined by Martin Luther King Jr. and upheld by the Supreme Court: "a code that a majority compels a minority to follow [and] that it is willing to follow itself." Because heterosexuals would not be willing to have their own marriages prohibited, they cannot legitimately prohibit it for homosexuals. Snyder neatly disentangles the legitimate claims of religion (to live according to one's moral framework) from those that are antidemocratic (to impose one's moral framework on others). She also takes on biblical arguments, rehashing some well-known controversies but adding useful Jewish perspectives. By foregrounding the political traditions on which American democracy rests, Snyder gives those on the left a considerable weapon against assertions that religious traditions should guide the nation's future. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.\ \
