PSIR: critical theory Flashcards
4 examples of critical theories
Constructivism
Feminism
Marxism
Ecologism (Green Theory)
constructivism
neither individual, state, nor international community interests are predetermined or fixed. Individuals in collectivities forge, shape, and change culture through ideas and practices. State and national interests are the result of the social identities of these actors.
why is it hard to pin down a constructivist?
Constructivists claim there is no objective reality or human nature. Thus, they make no blanket statements about human nature or societies.
What they do say is that humans and human structures are flexible and vary over space and time.
feminism
Feminism can be defined as a movement for the social advancement of women
- Based on two central beliefs
- Women are disadvantaged because of their sex
- This disadvantage can and should be overthrown
2 types of feminism
empirical & analytical
empirical feminism
“Where are the women?”
Challenge the exclusion of women and women’s issues from conventional analysis
- Too much focus on male dominated bodies and institutions
- The role of women- diplomatic wives, domestic workers, sex workers is ignored
Recognize the previously invisible contributions that women make to shaping world politics
Goal is to widen our awareness of the range women have played and play in Global Politics.
analytical feminism
Highlight the gender bias that pervade the theoretical frameworks- uncovers the hidden gendered assumptions
- Criticizes the realist paradigm of “power politics” - the theory is premised on ‘masculinist’ assumptions about rivalry, competition, and inevitable conflict.
- Champion alternative concepts such as linking power to collaboration, care, interdependence
feminism and development
Feminist believe that economic development alleviates women from their traditional roles.
- Gender equality marches hand and hand with modernity
- The growth of capitalism turns traditional societies into more modern ones
- Patriarchal control and the subjugation of women lessen as the individual is valued in terms of their contribution to the productive process.
- As a result more egalitarian family structures emerge
Opportunities for women to gain an education and enter the workforce expand
traditional marxism
Haves vs. have-nots
Haves are exploitive
Clashes between social classes are inevitable.
Communism is the answer (maybe)!!
Neo-marxist (1960s-1970s)
Capitalist exploitation exists on an international level
Emphasis on global inequality- massive wealth and development disparities between states.
Desire for profit has transnational characters
Developed states exploit non developed states by extracting resources from them and making them dependent on the markets of developed economies for export of others for profit.
The process of free trade, privatization, and deregulation has created a new form of imperialism or neo-colonialism that keeps developing states dependent on wealthier states for development
ecologism (green theory)
Focuses on the well-being of the planet and the many ecological systems that sustain life.
It seeks to understand, and critique, human impacts on environmental systems.
Not concerned about the relationships between different people or states but with humanity and the environment.
A variety of actors, including international organizations and civil society groups, are motivated by environmentalism.
mainstream green thinkers
aim to develop a balance between economic growth and sustainable practices (linking environmental goals to economic ones)
radical green thinkers
balance between man and nature will only be restored by the dismantling of the capitalist economic system which “commodifies nature”
deep ecologist
only a paradigm shift in which society rejects anthropocentrism (belief that humans are the most important thing in the universe) will bring an end to environmental degradations.
