Tickner in chapter 1 of "Gendering World Politics" tries to
make the point that the current world is one of patriarchy where women are not
only as seen as unequal, but unfit, for many things that the society believes women
absolutely cannot do. Tickner believes that some characteristics, for example
rationality, strength, and aggression are associated with men alone. She argues
that mass rape, prostitution and woman trafficking are always consequential of war.
She provides the example of World War II which resulted in over two hundred
thousand female deaths. Hence Tickner believes that the argument, that wars are
fought to protect the women and children is fundamentally flawed, as wars
result in just the opposite of safeguarding women.
Women populate a bit more than half the world,
but man remains the focus of IR theory. Hence believes Tickner that feminist
theories, if included in international politics can provide new insights into
the behavior of states and the needs of individuals, and IR too among many
other things should not just be male-centric. Ann Tickner’s belief that the
myth of the Alpha-male Strong and powerful, doesn’t apply to the real world,
and women are just as capable and equal in all regards to men and should be
able to part-take in foreign services, or the military on the same criterion, in place for men.
Tickner’s argument, however you look it at it, does carry weight, and I believe that a
new perspective, any perspective can do no harm, and may just as well be
beneficial.
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