The Limits of Gender Equality (Policies)

• In Event: Democratic Ideals and Practices given Discriminatory Conventions and Stereotypes

Abstract

This paper argues that there are a wide variety of approaches to global politics that suggest either directly or indirectly that gender equality is something which is progressive and will continue to progress until ‘the genders’ are ‘equal.’ It then problematizes that idea in practice, arguing that gender-based advocacy and gender-emancipatory policies can be instrumental or even regressive. This paper refreshes questions about why states, as members of international organizations and parties to international negotiations, adopt policies that require gender emancipation? Have these actors been convinced by the persuasive argument and effective advocacy of feminists? Of do they have other reasons? This paper addresses these questions by applying an argument about the limits of equality coming from critical race theory to gender in global politics, arguing that gender equality in global politics is inherently limited. It concludes by discussing the implications of possible limits on gender equality. The dominant will provide equality until, and only until, actual dominance is threatened; this applies to gender in global politics.

Authors

• Laura Sjoberg, Royal Holloway, University of London

• Bryant Edward Harden, University of Florida