Blog Post: Sydney Pezza-Luther

The articles by Wendt and Tickner show the various ways to look at international politics and the power involved in it.  In Anarchy Is What States Make of It by Alexander Wendt, it discusses the concept of identities and how they are basis of interests.  However, in A Critique of Morgenthau’s Principles of Political Realism by Ann Tickner, it goes against the viewpoints provided by Wendt and the ideas of identities.  Instead, the article discusses the issue regarding how international politics can be described as a “man’s world.”  Tickner provides a compelling argument and proves that women in international politics would leave a positive effect.  As a result, a feminine approach would allow for new perspectives in power and allow for the search of more appropriate solutions.
Politics has been dominated by men and the idea of having a women’s outlook has not come into play.  However, it could provide a new way of thinking to international relations.  For example, one crucial issue occurring today is the environment and the destruction that is being done to it.  International politics and government has been focused on the idea of industrial and technological development which is major factor on the depletion of Earth’s natural resources and degradation of the planet.  Therefore, with the environment now becoming a global concern, Tickner mentions that ecologists and feminists both agree that a change in worldview is crucial to allow human species to survive.  Tickner also states the idea that by having a feminist perspective could help to an international community by “seeking to find common moral elements in human aspirations.”  Even in a study found in the article by Tickner, it supports the fact that women have a different approach to problem solving compared to men when dealing with a conflict.  This new approach to problem solving could be necessary for dealing with a conflict resolutions internationally.
However, an issue with having women in international politics is the idea of stereotypes.  Due to the discrimination towards women there is few women holding high positions of power.  In the article written by Wendt, he discusses the concept of preconceived ideas and that “each person has many identities linked to institutional roles…”.  As a result, women have been branded to be known for their nurturing skills and to be lacking in qualities needed for power.  Stereotypes fail to recognize individual males or females who can possess characteristics associated with the opposite sex.

Changing the discourse of international politics by including a feminist perspective could leave a positive outcome and open the field to many other women aspiring to hold high authority as well.  The idea that power and domination is masculine has to be removed and become focused upon the idea of collective empowerment.  Involving a feminist point of view to politics could be a change needed crucially.

Comments

  1. profshirkSeptember 21, 2017 at 8:13 AM

    Sydney,

    Be careful when talking about male/female and masculine/feminine, they are different things. Many women who do make it in politics are either naturally more masculine or forced to act this way. Hillary Clinton has spoken at length about this.

    I mention that Wendt and Tickner disagree - this is true - but can you elaborate more on how they disagree? it appears you show them actually agreeing with each other, using Wendt to elucidate tickner's point.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 24, 2017 at 12:39 PM

      I was a little confused with going about this blog post but what I was trying to explain between Wendt and Tickner was that in Wendt's article he discusses that importance of having a set identity and that "identities are the basis of interests." He also mentions how everyone has identities linked to their institutional roles. However, Tickner combats against this and disagrees with the idea a preconceived identities and how it can benefit the public by avoiding them. She describes "international politics as a man's world", and the importance of changing that.

      Delete
  2. Tom PilatSeptember 24, 2017 at 3:22 PM

    I think your post has good points on having a wider range of viewpoints in politics, rather than just a masculine perspective. I also agree with you on change is critical not on just a political view, but for the human species to survive as a whole. The environment has been degrading for a while now, and it is only a matter of time for something significant to happen as a result of abusing it. I do believe that women are becoming more prominent in some aspect of politics and I only imagine their roles in politics climbing from here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Victoria PierreSeptember 24, 2017 at 8:00 PM

    I agree that in politics we need a more feminist perspective because I think it would give politicians a better guidance. I think that a feminists views would keep people in more community instead of in conflict. I do not think it's a male/female thing only it's just the style to which politicians take to command power.

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