From Property to Patriarchy: Thomas Spence and Women’s Economic Rights

Author: Emma Chin

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 70

Timeslot: Afternoon

Abstract: In the 1790s, growing calls for women’s economic independence and social participation intersected with the radical ideas of Thomas Spence, a vocal advocate for common land ownership and rent sharing. As feminist thought gained momentum, debates over women’s roles in public and economic life intensified. Spence’s vision promised a basic income for all, but the depth of his commitment to women’s financial autonomy remains uncertain, especially as his writings evolved over time. This paper examines Spence’s key works alongside contemporary feminist critiques, including those of Mary Wollstonecraft, to assess whether his radical philosophy genuinely included women or merely leveraged their struggles to advance his political agenda. By analyzing Spence’s philosophical development, feminist discourse, and comparative critique, this study traces how Spence’s views on gendered economic rights evolved and considers their relevance to broader proto-feminist movements demanding systemic social and economic change.