The Late Arrival of Feminist Approaches to the Study of International Relations Theory

The Late Arrival of Feminist Approaches to the Study of International Relations Theory

In this essay, I will be attempting to explain the relatively late

arrival of feminist approaches to the study of international relations

theory. In addition I will be answering the question of what can be

learnt from feminist theories. I believe that there is a lot to be

learnt from feminist theories because in international relations, I

have not come across another theory which has covered the issues which

have been covered by feminism. This essay will not only consist of my

thoughts as to what can be learnt but certain facts and thoughts from

other people. I will be attempting to provide you with an insight into

the history of feminist; outlining when it arrived in IR. In addition,

I will be providing a brief summary of the several types of feminist

approaches; Liberal feminism, Marxist feminism and Radical feminism.

The history of feminism in accordance with actual events will be

provided to explain the late arrival of feminist approaches and

several reasons will be explained to help me provide an adequate

answer as to what can be learnt from feminist approaches. It is

perhaps necessary to begin this essay with an insight to the

introduction of feminism to IR.

International relations has been one of the last fields to open up to

feminisms, which offer unique contributions to any field of research.

Indeed, compared with other disciplines, the arrival of feminist

perspectives in IR occurred relatively late. It was only in the late

1980’s and early 1990’s that several conferences and the published

books created momentum for a feminist study of ...

... middle of paper ...

...niversity Press, 1997, pg 174

[5] Heywood, A., Political Ideologies: an introduction, Basingstoke,

Macmillan, 1998,

[6] Carter, A., The Politics of women’s rights, London, Longman, pg 52

[7] Heywood, A., Political Ideologies: an introduction, Basingstoke,

Macmillan, 1998, pg 252

[8] Baylis, J., The Globalization of World Politics, Oxford, Oxford

University Press, 1997, pg 174

[9] Beasley, C., What is feminism?; an introduction to feminist

theory, London, Sage, 1999, pg 54

[10] Whitworth, S., Feminism and international relations: towards a

political economy of gender, Basingstoke, Macmillan, pg 17

[11] www.leeds.ac.uk/gender-studies/epaper/rodgers.htm

[12] www.leeds.ac.uk/gender-studies/epaper/rodgers.htm

[13] Burchill, S., Theories of International Relations, London,

Macmillan, 1996 pg 243