Clare Chambers breathes new life into radical feminist critiques of marriage and classical liberal critiques of states that give their imprimatur to specific notions of the good life in order to argue that state-recognized marriage is fundamentally unjust. ... Her book demonstrates how the strengths of analytical political philosophy can be powerfully mobilized as a resource for motivating political change.

Comments from the David Easton Prize Committee

Chambers' Against Marriage is a wonderful addition to a growing literature demanding that we think seriously about the institution of marriage and how it may have to be altered to meet the demands of justice and equity her articulate and thoughtful arguments have made me think more seriously about many issues involving marriage.

Robert Scott Stewart, Metapsychology Online Reviews

I found Chambers persuasive: Against Marriage compelled me to rethink some of my ideas on the subject and brought much greater precision to others. And even those who disagree with much more of it will have to engage with it, as an integrated and reasonably comprehensive analysis of how the state should approach marriage

Danny Yee, Danny Yee Reviews

I highly recommend Chambers' book as an important scholarly and pedagogical resource. It is beautifully crafted and makes an important contribution to the literature in liberal political theory and, more specifically, to the philosophical literature on marriage and family. ...It was my distinct pleasure to read this book and be provoked by its arguments into a better understanding of both liberalism's promise and its limitations with regard to its support of diverse forms of relationship.

Shelley M. Park, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Clare Chambers puts together a well thought out rejection of state recognized marriage based on the notion that such marriages are gendered and heterosexual in nature while undermining liberty and equality. ... The book is interesting and thought-provoking and Chambers is able to explain why she believes that a marriage-free state is needed.

Hennie Weiss, Metapsychology Online Reviews