Glossary – Feminist, Postcolonial and Green Approaches

Feminist, Postcolonial and Green Approaches

Introduction

Feminist, postcolonial and green approaches broaden the study of International Relations by examining issues that traditional theories may underemphasize, including gender, colonial legacies, environmental security, ecological limits and unequal experiences of global politics.

These approaches are diverse and should not be treated as single unified theories.

Feminist International Relations

Feminist International Relations: Approaches that examine how gender relations, gender identities and gendered structures shape international politics.

Gender: Socially constructed roles, expectations and relationships associated with sex and gender identity.

Gender Relations: Social and political relationships shaped by gendered expectations and power structures.

Gendered Power: Power relationships that affect people differently according to gender.

Gender Mainstreaming: Integrating gender considerations into policies, institutions and decision-making.

Feminist Security Studies

Feminist Security Studies: Approaches that broaden the concept of security by examining how conflict, violence and insecurity affect different groups and individuals.

Traditional security analysis often focuses on states, military threats and territorial security. Feminist approaches may also examine:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual violence
• Human trafficking
• Economic insecurity
• Displacement
• Gender-based violence
• Access to political decision-making

Gender-Based Violence: Violence directed against individuals or groups because of gender or gendered roles.

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Sexual violence associated with armed conflict.

Feminist Concepts

Patriarchy: A social system in which men as a group have historically held greater political, economic or social power.

Intersectionality: An analytical approach examining how multiple social identities and structures of inequality interact.

Care Economy: Economic and social activities involving care work, much of which has historically been unpaid or undervalued.

Women, Peace and Security: An international policy framework emphasizing women’s participation, protection and representation in peace and security processes.

Postcolonial International Relations

Postcolonialism: An approach examining the continuing political, economic, cultural and intellectual effects of colonialism.

Postcolonial International Relations: Approaches that examine how colonial histories and power structures continue to influence international politics.

Colonial Legacy: Political, economic, social or cultural effects inherited from colonial rule.

Decolonization: The ending of colonial rule and establishment of political self-government.

Eurocentrism: An approach that interprets world history or international politics primarily through European experiences and perspectives.

Coloniality: The continuing influence of colonial patterns of power and knowledge after formal colonial rule has ended.

Orientalism

Orientalism: A concept associated particularly with Edward Said, referring to Western representations of “the East” that historically constructed and reproduced particular images of Eastern societies.

The concept is widely used in postcolonial scholarship to examine knowledge, representation and power.

Subalternity

Subaltern: A term used in critical and postcolonial scholarship for groups whose voices and political agency have historically been marginalized within dominant structures.

Subaltern Studies: A scholarly tradition examining the histories and political agency of marginalized groups, particularly in colonial and postcolonial contexts.

Green International Relations

Green International Relations: Approaches that place environmental conditions, ecological systems and sustainability at the centre of international political analysis.

Environmental Security: Security concerns arising from environmental degradation, resource pressures and ecological change.

Ecological Security: A broader concept emphasizing the protection and resilience of ecological systems on which societies depend.

Climate Security: The study of security implications associated with climate change.

Resource Conflict: Conflict linked partly to competition over natural resources.

Environmental Justice: The principle that environmental benefits and burdens should be distributed fairly and that affected communities should have meaningful participation.

Ecological Concepts

Sustainability: The ability to meet present needs without undermining the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Ecological Interdependence: Mutual dependence among human societies and ecological systems.

Planetary Boundaries: Scientific concepts describing limits within which humanity can operate while maintaining a relatively stable Earth system.

Climate Governance: International and domestic institutions, rules and processes addressing climate change.

Climate Diplomacy: Diplomatic efforts concerning climate change, mitigation, adaptation, finance and international cooperation.

Feminist, Postcolonial and Green Security

These approaches can broaden the meaning of security beyond military threats.

Security may involve:

Human Security: Protection of individuals and communities from serious threats to survival, livelihood and dignity.

Gender Security: Protection from gender-related violence, discrimination and insecurity.

Environmental Security: Protection from environmental threats and ecological instability.

Climate Security: Security implications arising from climate-related risks.

Epistemic Justice: Fair recognition of different forms and sources of knowledge.

Major Thinkers

Cynthia Enloe: Known for examining gender and international politics, including the often-overlooked roles of women in global political and economic systems.

J. Ann Tickner: A major feminist International Relations scholar who critiqued conventional security and power concepts.

Edward Said: A foundational postcolonial thinker associated with the concept of Orientalism.

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: Known for influential work on subalternity and postcolonial theory.

Homi K. Bhabha: Known for concepts concerning hybridity, cultural identity and colonial discourse.

Robyn Eckersley: Known for work connecting environmental political theory with International Relations.

Key Distinctions

Feminist IR vs Gender Studies: Feminist IR specifically examines international politics through gender and power; gender studies is a broader interdisciplinary field.

Postcolonialism vs Decolonization: Decolonization refers to political processes of ending colonial rule; postcolonialism is a broader analytical and intellectual approach.

Colonialism vs Coloniality: Colonialism refers to systems of colonial rule; coloniality refers to enduring structures of power and knowledge associated with colonial histories.

Environmental Security vs Climate Security: Environmental security is broader; climate security focuses specifically on security implications of climate change.

Sustainability vs Environmental Protection: Environmental protection focuses on preventing or reducing environmental harm; sustainability incorporates longer-term relationships among environmental, social and economic systems.

Human Security vs National Security: Human security focuses primarily on individuals and communities; national security focuses primarily on the security of the state and its vital interests.

Key Terms at a Glance

Feminist International Relations | Gender | Gendered Power | Gender Mainstreaming | Feminist Security Studies | Gender-Based Violence | Intersectionality | Patriarchy | Care Economy | Women, Peace and Security | Postcolonialism | Colonial Legacy | Decolonization | Eurocentrism | Coloniality | Orientalism | Subaltern | Green International Relations | Environmental Security | Ecological Security | Climate Security | Environmental Justice | Sustainability | Climate Governance

Related Glossaries

International Relations Theories | International Security | Human Security | Global Development | Environment and Climate | Colonialism and Decolonization | Global Inequality