Which feminist theory aims to dismantle the patriarchy?

Radical Feminism is primarily focused on dismantling the patriarchy, which it sees as the root cause of women's oppression. This theory posits that society is fundamentally structured around male dominance, and that real change cannot occur without a fundamental transformation of societal structures. Radical feminists advocate for a complete overhaul of existing social and political systems that perpetuate gender inequality, viewing patriarchy as a pervasive system that impacts all aspects of life, from personal relationships to institutional policies.

In contrast, other feminist theories, while addressing women's rights and inequalities, do not emphasize the need for a complete societal overhaul to the same extent. For instance, liberal feminism seeks to achieve equality through legal reforms and policy changes within the existing structure, rather than dismantling the patriarchal system found in society. Socialist feminism addresses both the economic and gender-based inequalities but does so within the framework of existing systems rather than advocating for their complete dismantling. Intersectional feminism highlights how various social identities intersect to create unique experiences of oppression, but it does not inherently focus on dismantling the broader patriarchal framework in a radical sense. Thus, the primary objective of radical feminism sets it apart as a theory specifically aimed at addressing and deconstructing the foundational structures of patriarchy.