Feminism in the theory of international relations

The feminist trend in the theory of international relations began to take shape in the mid-1960s as an opposition to the classical theories of international relations. However, until the 1980s. feminism remained on the periphery of research by scientists, and gender differences, that is, related to the social aspects of gender, were ignored. Representatives of the feminist trend asserted that all theories of international relations existing in science are based on men’s worldview and do not take into account the female view, as well as their contribution (role, status, perception, worldview, belief system, etc.) to its political development.

Interest in him increased in the late 1980s. together with the so-called “Third dispute” in the science of international relations, when the need arose to rethink world politics. This time was marked by the emergence of a substantially new array of scientific findings associated with critical theory and postmodernism , which challenged both the epistemological and ontological foundations of the disciplinary field ^[1] .

In addition, after the collapse of the USSR and the collapse of the bipolar system, new studies of war and peace issues appeared in the world, which are key to the science of international relations, and in particular national security. The feminist school also contributed to these studies, pointing out that, for example, in the realistic paradigm , which most reflects the male position, security is defined in military-political terms as ensuring the security of borders from external invasion and the integrity of the state ^{[2 ]} . While feminism understands the term "security" is much broader - like any violence.

In the 1990s Security has ceased to be as uniquely dominant in international relations as it was during the Cold War . And the interest of researchers is now turned to other problems that are more familiar and understandable to women. All this contributed to the development and spread of feminist research.

The English scholars M. Light and identify four main reasons for the lack of attention of the theory of international relations to gender issues:

• the sphere of relations between the sexes has traditionally been regarded as a purely domestic political problem;
• the so-called "institutional inertia" contributed to ignoring this issue - the tendency to study and teach the same thing as before;
• strong belief that the science of international relations is neutral with respect to gender issues ;
• feminists themselves turned to international issues quite late ^[3] .

In 1997, suggested that there are three kinds of misunderstandings that prevent dialogue between feminists and scholars of international relations:

• lack of understanding of the meaning of gender;
• differences in ontologies ;
• epistemological differences ^[4] .

Feminist theories are interdisciplinary and derive knowledge from both the social and natural sciences , as well as from the humanities and philosophy . They include many epistemological and methodological approaches ^[5] .

The main research task of feminism is to explain the subordination of women or the unfair asymmetry between the social and economic situation of women and men, and also to find ways to get rid of this.

Feminism itself is heterogeneous and is divided into several currents.

Differential Feminism

( English difference feminism ) emphasizes the role of women in world politics precisely as a woman. It proceeds from the presence of significant gender differences, which is explained by biological differences by some representatives of this trend, but most theorists see social differences in this. For this reason, men and women are simply not able to perform the same work equally.

Differential feminism emphasizes the importance of the interdependence of states , respect for human rights , limited power methods, and also emphasizes that women in politics can and should play a special role, in particular, to be more involved in mediation in conflict situations, when making decisions, etc. ., since women are on average about 10% less likely to support military action ^[6] .

Liberal Feminism

Liberal feminism is skeptical of the ideas of differential feminism and focuses on the equal rights of men and women, noting that the differences between the sexes are generated largely by perception stereotypes . It aims to achieve gender equality within the existing social system by erasing the differences between men and women, that is, the characteristics of the female nature are not taken into account here ^[3] .

According to theorists of liberal feminism, the problem is not that women look at the world differently, but that they are limited in their ability to be involved in world politics. Thus, according to J. Seager, in 1995 at the UN General Assembly, delegations from around the world represented 80% of men, and delegation heads generally made up 97% of men ^[6] .

Postmodern Feminism

Postmodern feminism ( English postmodern feminism ) believes that the value of women should not be exaggerated and praised. And this puts the proponents of this trend in opposition to the representatives of differential feminism. In particular, postmodern feminism emphasizes that women only adapt to the world built by men, which is not always the best from the moral point of view, where both sexes suffer.

Postmodern feminism criticizes the former scientific rationality and objectivity , declaring them serving male science . He poses the problem of the limited knowledge presented in social theory exclusively by men, their system of values , a masculine view of the world, and masculine means of expressing knowledge. Great importance is given to the issues of deconstruction of texts. Representatives of this branch of feminism note, in particular, that the atomic bombs dropped by the Americans on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had male names - “ Fat Man ” and “ Baby ”. The cipher telegram sent after striking said it was a boy. It was assumed that if the operation failed, they would have reported a girl ^[7] .

• Annik T.R. Vibben. Feminist approach to the study of international relations. Modern science of international relations abroad. An anthology in three volumes. Volume I. Russian Council on Foreign Affairs. - M .: NP RSMD, 2015.
• J. Ann Tickner. World politics from a gender perspective. Challenges and approaches of the post-Cold War era. - M .: "Cultural Revolution", 2006. - 336 p.
• Lebedeva M. M. World politics: a textbook for universities. 2nd edition, rev. and add. - M.: Aspect Press, 2007 .-- 365 p.
• Malashonok S. Feminism in international relations. Information and analytical portal Geopolitics. [one]
• Tsygankov P. A. Theory of International Relations: Textbook. allowance. - M.: Gardariki, 2003. - 590 s.