Week 5 Handout

PS 140 Handout for Week 5 Week of September 30th, 2024 Lecture 8 Barnhart et al, Tickner, Zvobgo & Loken, Bouka Key terms and concepts Sex • • Definition: Refers to the physical characteristics that distinguish organisms as male or female Example & other details: Gender • Definition: The roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men, women, and other gender identities. • Example & other details: Difference Feminism • Definition: A branch of feminist theory that emphasizes the differences between men and women, often focusing on women’s unique qualities and experiences. • Example & other details: Liberal Feminism • Definition: A branch of feminist theory that highlights the similarities between genders and advocating for equal treatment. • Example & other details: Postmodern Feminism • Definition: A branch of feminist theory that critiques universal claims about gender, sexuality, and identity, focusing on the fluid, diverse, and socially constructed nature of these concepts. • Example & other details: Discussion 1. Would IR operate differently if most leaders of states were women? What would the differences be? What evidence (beyond gender stereotypes) supports your answer? Feminist IR scholars argue that traditional IR, dominated by male perspectives, emphasizes power, conflict, and competition. If more women led states, IR might focus more on diplomacy, cooperation, and conflict resolution. This may not be a guaranteed outcome though, as gendr does not singularly define policy decisions. Studies have shown that women leaders, like men, are influenced by institutional and national interests, like Margaret Thatcher. A feminist perspective would highlight how including more women might change the overall priorities or tones of diplomacy. 2. How does Barnhardt explain the democratic peace theory? The Democratic Peace Theory conveys that democracies are less likely to go to war with other democracies. Barnhardt might explain this theory by emphasizing that democracies have shared norms of peaceful conflict resolution, institutional checks and balances on their leaders’ ability to engage in war, and the influence of public opinion. These factors often create stronger disincentive for conflict compared to non-democratic states, where leaders are not held to similar standards. 3. What are Tickner’s six feminist reformulated principles of realism? How do these compare to Morgenthau’s principles (see handout for Week 3)? 1.Objectivity is masculine: Instead of pure objectivity, Tickner argues for the inclusion of different perspectives, including women’s. 2.Power as domination is problematic: Tickner believes that power should be understood in more cooperative and relational terms. 3.National interest should be contextual: Unlike Morgenthau’s focus on fixed national interests, Tickner believes interests are multiple and shaped by social contexts. 4.Autonomy is an illusion: Realism emphasizes states acting independently, while Tickner notes interdependence among actors. 5.Moral claims should be rooted in care ethics: Instead of Morgenthau’s amoral approach, Tickner suggests moral claims should focus on responsibility. 6. Feminist perspectives should be included: Tickner adds that feminist approaches to international politics broaden our understanding of conflict and security. 4. According to Zvobgo and Loken, why are race and racism crucial to studying IR? Zvobgo and Loken argue that race and racism are central to understanding global power structures. Racism shapes international policies, the distribution of power, and perceptions of threat. The legacies of colonialism, slavery, and imperialism continue to impact modern IR by marginalizing non-Western voices and reinforcing racial hierarchies. Addressing race allows IR scholars to better understand how global inequalities are perpetuated through political and economic systems. 5. What is Bouka’s challenge to the state-centric view of modern IR? Bouka challenges the state-centric view of IR by emphasizing that this approach often erases the agency and contributions of non-state actors, particularly those from marginalized groups or regions like Africa. She critiques the way IR traditionally focuses on Western power structures and argues that non-Western states and actors have played a critical role in shaping international politics. By centering African perspectives, Bouka pushes for a more inclusive view of IR that recognizes the historical and contemporary influence of non-Western actors. 6. How might IR better incorporate race and gender into its studies of world politics? How do you see these biases reflected in the way you read and understand IR news? •Acknowledging intersectionality: Recognizing how race, gender, class, and other social identities intersect to shape global politics. •Diversifying research methods: Using methodologies that focus on marginalized voices and challenge traditional power hierarchies. •Expanding case studies: Including more studies from non-Western countries and highlighting the role of women and racial minorities in international affairs. The biases in IR can be seen in news coverage that often frames global politics through a Western lens, focusing on great powers while ignoring the impact of policies on marginalized regions and peoples.