A Feminist Theory of International Relations
Table of Contents
I. Development of Feminist Theory in International Relations 4
Principles of Political Realism 5
II. A Feminist Theory of International Relations and its Perspective 6
A Feminist Concept of Power 7
Militarization and National Security 9
Conclusion 13
Bibliography 15
The feminist theorists usually criticize the naturalistic explanations of gender and sexuality arguing that women’s physiology is not related to their social existence. A feminist political philosophy is inseparable from a theory of gender since the political interest creates the social phenomena of gender and the feminist theory fails without a
critique of gender constitution (Butler, 1997, p.427). As a general trend, feminism nowadays is not a new phenomenon and is treated with appropriate recognition of achievements of this movement as well as clear understanding of its concepts.
Significant changes in issues related to gender inequality and discrimination in families, at workplaces, and in education have taken place due to the efforts of feminism supporters to most spheres of public life. However, gender equality has not been reached and granted yet, and the women’s rights still require protection against discrimination. International relations still remain influenced prevalently by males despite the gradual reshaping of social relationships within the state due to new gender-related ideas, principles, and policies. International
relations were shaped and predetermined by the long historical development and this field is slowly changing and responding to the challenges of the modern world. International politics, military service, and diplomacy have
traditionally been dominated by males, and women have rarely been included in the ranks of the military or professional diplomats (Tickner, 1988, p.22).
The role of feminist theory in international relations is still treated by the proponents of classical international relations as a sub-field developed within the generally static and unchanged framework (Tickner, 2009, p.176). However, the impact of feminist theory is more groundbreaking and profound. To determine the contribution of feminism theory in international relations it is necessary to depart from the concept that politics is an affair dominated by males and to begin considering many statements which could previously seem to be axiomatic
from a different point of view. International politics is considered as a man’s prerogative for several reasons. Women remain unfairly underrepresented in the higher echelons of international relations partly because of the public opinion and partly due to the lack of the interest since the fields of international relations and military services are unattractive and inhospitable to the majority of women. However, the issues emphasized by the foreign policy are issues primarily described …
