Understanding Feminism: An Inquiry into its Roots and Global Perspectives

“Solidarity across borders. Power in every step.”

We are currently seeing a remarkable surge in feminism, especially visible in societies across South Asia. This increase in discourse and visibility makes it essential to understand the philosophical and historical wellsprings of this powerful movement.

While I am personally a strong advocate of feminism, committed to gender equality and fighting systemic discrimination, I firmly believe that everyone should be treated and given opportunities based on their intrinsic value, regardless of any superficial distinctions such as race, ethnicity, or gender. Overall, I identify myself as a humanitarian.

To investigate this, I conducted a concise research project to understand the foundational origins of feminism, clarify its primary objectives, and assess its significant relationship with established global political theories.

What is Feminism, Really?

Feminism's main goal is to make women equal in politics, the economy, and society. It fundamentally rejects the notion that gender roles are inherently predetermined.

Feminism in International Relations is a term for scholars who use feminist theory to better understand global politics. Feminists believe that discourses, including those in political theory, are not neutral but biased, often showing a male point of view.

Judith Butler, a prominent post-structuralist feminist, asserted, "One is not born, but becomes a woman." This means that gender is mostly a performance that uses language, symbols, and culture.

Feminism has usually had three waves in its history:

  • The first wave, which happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, was about getting the right to vote (suffrage) and owning land.

  • Second Wave (1960s–1980s): Worked to stop sexism at work, fight for equal rights, and stop discrimination.

  • Third Wave (1990s onward): This was a response to the Second Wave's focus on the lives of straight, white women. It put a lot of emphasis on diversity and intersectionality.

Feminist inquiry is ongoing, and its critiques have provided invaluable counterpoints to long-held philosophical beliefs.

Feminism vs. Political Giants

Feminism doesn't just exist in a vacuum; it directly challenges the foundational theories that shape how we view power, statehood, and conflict.

Idealism (Hegel) vs. The Home Sphere

Idealism, originating from 18th-century philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and G.W.F. Hegel, interprets international relations through the framework of moral principles and legal standards. Feminists primarily critique Hegel's rigid, biologically essentialist view of women.

Hegel infamously argued that a woman's "substantive destiny" lies exclusively within the family.

"The difference in the physical characteristics of the two sexes has a rational basis and consequently acquires an intellectual and ethical significance." — Hegel

Feminist writers criticize this narrow view, saying that reducing women's virtue to biological essentialism limits their roles and opportunities in public life.

Realism (Machiavelli) vs. Objectification

Realism (or political realism) is a dominant IR theory stressing competition and conflict. Thinkers like Thucydides, Hobbes, and Niccolo Machiavelli are its founding fathers.

Feminists strongly criticize Machiavelli's influential book, The Prince, for its misogynistic undertones, especially in his use of virtù (masculine, dominating) and Fortuna (feminine, weak). Machiavelli's highly gendered language supports a male-centered way of thinking.

Machiavelli's objectification is clear:

"Nevertheless, a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, even if he fails to win love, he avoids hatred, because he can endure being feared as long as he is loved, which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects and their women."

Feminists argue that representing women as mere property or commodities reinforces chauvinistic beliefs and strengthens a hierarchy of power that excludes women from meaningful political roles.

Challenging Knowledge: Traditionalism and Positivism

Feminists also challenge the accepted ways we acquire and define knowledge itself.

Traditionalism vs. Male Experience

Traditionalism involves upholding long-established values, norms, and practices. Feminist philosophers often criticize traditional methods for prioritizing "male" and "masculinity" as the only path to knowledge—stressing reason and rationality over other forms of understanding, and prioritizing male experiences over female ones.

Philosophers like Mary Daly criticized this androcentric practice in traditional religion, seeking to originate a new, female-focused philosophical language. Conversely, Nel Noddings focused her philosophy of ethics on relationships rather than justice, arguing that the caring approach should be available to all people.

Positivism vs. Scientific Bias

Positivism is the methodology that uses modern scientific research methods to study social phenomena. Feminist scholars recognized that women had been excluded from the academic learning constructed by positivist sociology.

One stark example of this bias is found in science itself. The traditional idea—which has moved from textbooks to popular culture—is that male sperm are "aggressive racers" fighting for survival against the female egg, which is merely "sitting there quietly and passively."

This scientific narrative, feminists argue, firmly planted the feminine-passive/masculine-active dichotomy into people’s minds, which then translated into the social stereotype that men are the 'doers' in all fields, and women are simply enablers or receivers. One can say that even science is not free from bias and stereotypes.

The Enduring Relevance of Fairness

Feminism has been a necessary force since the earliest civilizations, constantly seeking equality and challenging male-dominant structures. Its core premise—that gender is a social issue, not a biological one—allows it to fundamentally question the status quo.

Even though the word "feminism" has been misunderstood or hasn't always caught on with the general public, it is still important because it always fights for basic fairness. Ultimately, this effort is in line with the basic humanitarian belief that everyone should have dignity, respect, and an equal chance to do well in society.

Understanding its philosophical battles is the key to appreciating why this wave of activism is more relevant than ever.


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