Plan Today: (Neo-)Marxist

1
Plan Today(Neo-)Marxist Feminist Approaches
to IR

1. Completing group discussion of postcolonial
   theory vs. Marxism.
2. Evaluation of Marxist and Neo-Marxist approaches.
3. Introduction to feminist concepts and critique of
   traditional IR.

2
Group Discussion Activity

• What are the similarities and differences you
  observe between Marxist approaches and
  Postcolonial theory (or specifically Saids
  Orientalism argument)?
• Break into groups of 5-6 students. Discuss for 7
  minutes, then report back to class.

3
Evaluation of (Neo)Marxism as Theory

1. Explanatory Power Mixed.
2. Accuracy not great.
3. Make sweeping claims to which we can find
   important empirical exceptions.
4. Generality very good.
5. Highly universal claims that can be applied to
   many contexts, global and domestic.

4
Evaluation of (Neo)Marxism as Theory

• Predictive Power Mixed.
• Does have capacity for predictions.
• Economic dynamics of globalized capitalism well
  predicted.
• But not a good predictor of interstate war.

5
Evaluation of (Neo)Marxism as Theory

• Scope very wide.
• Can analyze many patterns in domestic and
  international politics.
• But cannot cover areas of IR where class struggle
  not a significant factor.

6
Evaluation of (Neo)Marxism as Theory

• Self-reflection and Engagement with Other
  Theories Mixed.
• Like realists, can be somewhat defensive and
  claim importance of explaining a few big
  phenomena.
• Yet there has been innovation in Marxist
  approaches in response to criticism.

7
Feminist Theory
8
Basic Introduction to FeminismOntology

• More institutionalist than actor-oriented.
• Gendered concepts of masculinity/ femininity and
  distribution of power between men women shape
  international political outcomes.

9
Basic IntroductionCausal Argument/ Epistemology

• Typically critical theory more than explanatory
  with causal arguments.
• One causal argument masculine concepts of
  security and development ? policy choices that
  harm women and larger societies.

10
Basic IntroductionFeminist Concepts

• Gender
• Characteristics of men women that are socially
  constructed, not biologically determined.
• Something is gendered when has systematically
  different consequences for men and women.

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Basic IntroductionFeminist Concepts
Masculine Feminine
Autonomous Dependent
Leaders Followers
Public Private
Reasoned, Objective Emotional, Irrational, Subjective
12
Feminist Critiques of Traditional IR

• Jacqui True
• Traditional IR studies of high politics no
  reference to impact on real people.
• IR a public sphere (masculine) excluding
  private realm (feminine).
• Gendered definition of state matters excluded
  women from participation.

13
Feminist Critiques of Traditional IR

• Women always fundamentally affected by IR but
  those effects ignored by mens study of it.
• E.g. environmental degradation harms womens
  subsistence farming.
• E.g. globalization urbanization ? increased
  stress in household ? increased domestic
  violence.

14
Feminist Critiques of Traditional IR

• Women affect IR in informal and important ways.
• The personal is international (Enloe)
• E.g. Obedient, entertaining diplomats wives to
  help diplomatic relationships.
• E.g. Womens sexual services to convince soldiers
  of manliness.

15
Feminist Critiques of Traditional IR

• Ann Tickner critique of Morgenthau
• Definition of power as domination (masculine) vs.
  power as acting in concert (feminine).