Feminist theory encompasses various movements and ideologies aimed at defining and advancing women's rights across political, economic, and social spheres. The history of feminism is categorized into three waves: the first wave focused on women's suffrage, the second wave addressed legal and social equality, and the third wave critiques the previous wave's shortcomings. Core principles of feminism include promoting equality, expanding human choice, and eliminating gender stratification, with distinct types such as liberal, socialist, and radical feminism highlighting different approaches to achieving these goals.