Publication Details

Abstract

Feminist theories of care ethics point out that vulnerability and dependence are an inherent part of caring relationships, while also noting that these aspects and the sense of inequality that stems from them invariably enable the abuse of power. At the same time, Tronto (2013) argues that the best form of care is non-hegemonic democratic care. How can care be provided in a non-hegemonic and democratic way in situations where actors are characterized by their mutual inequality and their mutual dependence and vulnerability? The author argues that equality is not sufficient for sustainable nonhegemonic care and that inequality is not necessarily connected with the abuse of power in caring relations. The responsiveness, both at the individual and institutional levels, she considers as a necessary condition for democratic care based on inclusiveness.