POLS1201 - The Globalization of World Politics; An Introduction to International Relations, Eighth Edition - Women's International League of Peace And Freedom Case Study - Arts & Humanities Assignment Help

Assignment Task

Feminism

Framing Questions
• Are feminist international relations theories necessary for understanding international politics?
• What do feminist international relations theories provide for understanding international politics?
• How have feminist international relations theories influenced the practice of international politics?

Introduction

The end of the cold war and the emergence of new the- oretical debates set the broader context for the revitalization of feminist theories of international relations.These two events, one global and the other disciplin- ary, together reduced the credibility of the dominant approaches in the discipline oflnternational Relations in two ways. Both the unexpected political altera- tion in the international system and the introduction of influential new actors in world politics-such as international networks, non-state actors, and users of social media-required new forms of understanding and new methods of research. Additionally, in the social sciences, explanatory theory (which holds that the world is external to and unaffected by theories of it) was rapidly losing credence because identity and cultural politics challenged its ontology (ways of being), epistemology (ways of knowing), and methodology (ways of studying) (see the Introduction to this book). Instead, what is often called constitutive theory (which holds that the world is intrinsic to and affected by theories of it) was deemed the better choice, because it eschews ahistorical and transcen- dental explanation. It also allows for the study of lan- guage, identity, and difference-all of which seemed necessary for understanding the complexity of world politics in which struggles over social identities and cultural meanings are inextricable from demands for reforms in institutions and law.

What is feminism?
An introduction to feminist international relations theories must begin with a working definition of feminism. There is no one single definition of feminism, just as there is no single definition of liberalism or Marxism. Notwithstanding this, it would be correct to say that feminism is fundamentally rooted in an analysis of the global subordination of women-which can occur economically, politically, physically, and socially-and is dedicated to its elimination. Feminism promotes equality and justice for all women, so that
women's expectations and opportunities in life are not unfairly curtailed solely on the basis of being a woman. Consequently, feminism is also an analysis of power and its effects.

Case Study - Women's International League of Peace and Freedom

The Women's International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is the oldest formal women's international peace organization in the world. It began in 1915 at an international gathering of women who had come together during the First World War endeavouring to end that war and all wars. In the decades since, WILPF has been a strong and vocal actor in pursuing world peace through economic and social justice, women's rights, and disarmament. From its inception, WILPF articulated the necessity of including women, and women's experiences, in all elements of international and domestic politics. One of its first efforts was ensuring that the mandate of the League of Nations addressed the participation and status of women in international politics, and that the League undertook an inquiry into the legal, social, and economic status of women-the first of its kind. Throughout its history, WI LPF has been forced to deal with many of the divisive issues caused by its original membership and organization as Western, primarily European, affluent women. However, as historian of its work Catia Cecilia Confortini writes, even if WILPF was not founded as a self-consciously radical organization, it evolved into 'a leading critic of militarism, racism, sexism, environmental destruction, and unfettered capitalism, emphasizing the connection between all forms of oppression and exclusion' (Confortini 2012: 8).

Question 1: WI LP F's trajectory has changed over its decades of activism; what would have influenced this change?
 

Question 2: The WPS agenda has only taken root in the United Nations since 2000; what changes in international politics contributed to its introduction?

Question 3 . Name two ways in which the U n ited Nations Decade for Women changed international politics.
 

Question 4. What methods do femin ist international relations theories draw on to conduct their research?
 

Question 5. How does the study of gender affect our understandi ngs of the role of women and men in politics?
 

Question 6. How do theories of power differ among the four different categories of femin ist i nternational relations theories?
 

Question 7. Which femin ist international relations theory posits that 'gender is doing', and what does this mean?

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