PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Western Political Thought
The legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human development.’ (J. S. Mill). Comment.
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes
Subjection of Women = Mill’s fullest statement on gender justice -— quote fuses two claims equality as both justice and development → moral wrong + brake on progress
Body flow
wrong initself → origin in force, “might was right,” no place in modern world → principle of perfect equality, “no privilege / no disability” → unequal marriage laws → domestic slavery → hindrance to development → excluding half wastes its talent → doubles brain trust, raises competition, strengthens democracy → civilizes men, companionate marriage → sex no ground for excluding citizenship
Counter-view
defence of subordination: women naturally inferior + voluntary consent → Mill rebuts → “nature” is really socialization; consent under dependence is no consent
Conclusion routes
justice + utility combined → Gauba: among the strongest vindications of the feminist cause Mill transcended his age → foundational text of modern feminism (line running to Friedan)
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
