Where are the women in international politics?

Summary

In this discussion, the speaker reflects on the recurring question of 'Where are the women?' within international politics and feminist research. The speaker shares their experiences of studying divisions of labor across ethnic and racial lines, especially in industries like rubber tapping and the military. Drawing from their background in ethnic and racial politics, they emphasize how investigating who occupies certain roles—by race, gender, class, or ethnicity—can reveal power structures. The speaker encourages others to ask similar questions, linking labor divisions to larger societal forces shaping these dynamics.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Asking 'where are the women?' in international politics is a radical and complex question, not as straightforward as it seems.
• 👩‍🔬 The speaker's initial exposure to feminist research was new, even though they were already established in their career.
• 🌍 Prior experience in ethnic and racial politics helped them understand divisions of labor in different contexts.
• 🔎 Early investigations focused on why certain ethnic groups, like Tamil Malaysians, dominated specific labor sectors such as rubber tapping.
• 🏭 The speaker developed an interest in analyzing labor divisions in factories and plantations.
• 📖 The speaker authored a book called 'Ethnic Soldiers,' which focused on racial and ethnic compositions in militaries, though it lacked a feminist perspective.
• ✈️ The study of militaries explored who occupies different roles, such as in the Air Force versus the Navy, and who holds officer positions versus rank-and-file jobs.
• 📊 Division of labor is a useful starting point for asking 'where are the women?' and other intersectional questions.
• ⚖️ Questions around class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age help to reveal who is in specific roles and who benefits from these placements.
• 🧠 Reflecting on people's experiences in their roles and why they are there provides valuable insight into broader societal structures.

Q & A

What is the significance of the question 'Where are the women?' in the context of international politics?

The question 'Where are the women?' is significant because it challenges traditional narratives in international politics by highlighting the absence or marginalization of women in power structures. Asking this question in the discipline opens up deeper discussions about gendered power dynamics and societal roles.

How did the speaker's background in ethnic and racial politics influence their feminist research?

The speaker's background in ethnic and racial politics laid the foundation for their feminist research by teaching them to analyze divisions of labor. This analytical approach helped them ask similar questions regarding the roles of women in various fields, applying a structural lens to feminist inquiries.

Why is the study of 'division of labor' central to feminist research, according to the speaker?

Studying 'division of labor' is central to feminist research because it helps to reveal who occupies certain roles based on class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age. This can expose systemic inequalities and highlight how power structures shape people's opportunities and positions in society.

What kind of work did the speaker do in factories and plantations, and how does it relate to feminist research?

The speaker studied the ethnic and racial divisions of labor in factories and plantations, questioning why certain ethnic groups occupied specific roles. This approach relates to feminist research by examining the structural reasons behind gendered labor divisions, asking similar 'who is where' questions.

How did the speaker’s book 'Ethnic Soldiers' contribute to their understanding of labor divisions?

The book 'Ethnic Soldiers' contributed to the speaker’s understanding by mapping the racial and ethnic makeup of militaries, analyzing who was in which roles, such as Air Force or Navy, officer corps or rank and file. Though it didn’t focus on gender, it reinforced their methodology of studying divisions of labor.

What questions should researchers ask when investigating divisions of labor?

Researchers should ask: Who occupies certain roles based on class, race, ethnicity, gender, or age? Who benefits from these divisions? Who placed these individuals in these roles, and what do those in these roles think about their positions compared to other possible roles?

Why does the speaker believe that asking 'where are the women?' is a radical question?

The speaker believes that asking 'where are the women?' is radical because it disrupts traditional narratives and exposes underlying power structures that often go unexamined in fields like international politics. It forces a reevaluation of the distribution of roles and responsibilities based on gender.

What parallels can be drawn between the speaker's work in racial politics and feminist research?

Both racial politics and feminist research use the concept of 'division of labor' to investigate who holds power in various structures and why. The speaker applies the same methodology from studying racial dynamics—such as why certain ethnic groups occupy specific jobs—to investigating gendered roles.

How does the speaker suggest new researchers approach feminist research?

The speaker suggests that new researchers approach feminist research by asking 'division of labor' questions: Who is where, based on class, race, ethnicity, gender, or age? They should also examine who benefits from this arrangement and consider the perspectives of those in these roles.

What are the key steps in analyzing divisions of labor, according to the speaker?

The key steps are: identifying who occupies which roles based on different societal markers, understanding who placed them there and why, evaluating who benefits from this setup, and considering the perspectives of the individuals in those roles regarding their placement and potential alternatives.