The author makes a very important contribution to all aspects of the current marriage debates. 'Brake's clearly argued thesis is a powerful alternative to more standard feminist views that would eliminate marriage as an institution.

'provides fresh insight into a controversial topic and makes bold but thoughtful proposals that deserve consideration.' - Natasha McKeever, Res Publica It is one of the most rigorous, comprehensive, and compelling political liberal treatments of the marriage question out there if not the best.' - Tamara Metz, Social Theory and Practice 'This is an important book, a meticulous, thorough, and innovative work of moral and political philosophy applied to a pressing contemporary dilemma. It argues, using the example of minimal marriage, for the compatibility of liberalism and feminism. Part Two also responds to challenges posed by property division on divorce, polygyny, and supporting parenting, and builds on critiques of marriage drawn from feminism, queer theory, and race theory. But public reason can provide a strong rationale for minimal marriage: care, and social supports for care, are a matter of fundamental justice. Restrictions on marriage should thus be minimized. Under the constraints of public reason, a liberal state must refrain from basing law solely on moral or religious doctrines but only such doctrines could furnish reason for restricting marriage to male-female couples or romantic love dyads. Political liberalism requires the disestablishment of monogamous amatonormative marriage. The central argument of Part Two, 'Democratizing Marriage,' is that liberal reasons for recognizing same-sex marriage also require recognition of groups, polyamorists, polygamists, friends, urban tribes, and adult care networks. The discussion raises issues of independent interest for the moral philosopher such as the possibilities and bounds of interpersonal moral obligations and the nature of commitment. Further, the special value accorded marriage sustains amatonormative discrimination - discrimination against non-amorous or non-exclusive caring relationships such as friendships, adult care networks, polyamorous groups, or urban tribes. The book contends with the most influential philosophical accounts of the moral value of marriage to argue that marriage has no inherent moral significance. In Part One, 'De-Moralizing Marriage,' essays on promise and commitment argue that we cannot promise to love and so wedding vows are (mostly) failed promises, and that marriage may be a poor commitment strategy. Yet what moral significance does it have? This book examines its morally salient features - promise, commitment, care, and contract - with surprising results. Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Global Public HealthĮven in secular and civil contexts, marriage retains sacramental connotations.The European Society of Cardiology Series.Oxford Commentaries on International Law.

Minimizing Marriage by Elizabeth Brake