Feminism & Post- Colonialism

Femenism

• Different branches analyze the effects of globalization on gendered forms of power. While some liberal feminists are hopeful about globalization incorporating women, others are sceptical, pointing to the negative effects of neoliberalism on global inequality and women of color. Feminists argue that assessing globalization requires analyzing the lived experiences of men and women and how seemingly neutral issues are gendered, reinforcing power relations and injustice.

Postcolonialism

• Highlight the continuity and persistence of colonial forms of power in the globalized world, often seeing it as "neo"-colonialism compatible with neoliberal capitalism. They emphasize vast global inequality, the forms of power making it possible, and the continued domination of subaltern peoples. They question the Eurocentric nature of dominant theories and their role in perpetuating Western dominance.

Feminism key concepts

• focus on the ways gender and power intersect in social, political and economic relations (inc. IR)

• advocating for women's rights and gender equality in challenging patriarchal structures and norms in international institutions and policies

Feminism critique of traditional IR theories

• believes neglect women and gender as they are based on male assumptions about nature of power and security

Postcolonial key ideas

• focus on centring the experiences and perspectives of colonised peoples and marginalised groups in understanding global politics

• legacy of colonialism and imperialism continues to shape the contemporary world creating inequalities

Postcolonial/decolonial critique of traditional IR theories

• need for epistemic diversity and pluralism in knowledge production and dissemination

• traditional IR theories are complicit in perpetuating dominance of western epistemologies

Postcolonial/decolonial theory benefits

• experiences of race/gender/class etc are mutually constituted and cannot be understood in isolation

• inspired new research agendas and methodologies (ie. critical security securities, development studies and geopolitics)

Critiques of postcolonialism

• overly deterministic and rejecting the idea of agency and resistance by colonised peoples

• do not offer a comprehensive alternative framework for IR