Where are the Women? A Feminist Sociological Critique of the Literature on Strategic Nonviolent Conflict
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2011
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Swarthmore College. Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology
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Thesis
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en_US
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Abstract
Strategic nonviolent action has been a means of resisting conflict and overcoming authoritarian dictatorships used by the masses for centuries. Through examining the foremost literature in the field, it was hypothesized that the contributions and experiences of women were mainly overlooked by theorists who relied on a power relations and paradigms that enforced patriarchal power relations. Relying on a feminist sociological approach to analysis, paradigms, rhetoric, and case studies were used to examine the hypothesis in the literature. In addition, cases of strategic nonviolent action by women were examined to support the hypothesis that these cases were mainly overlooked in the literature and that they in fact do exist. What was found was not only are these cases overlooked, but the majority of the foremost literature on strategic nonviolent conflict relies on a patriarchal notion of power that does not account for the experiences and contributions of women. The importance of this conclusion is highlighted when examining the possibility of dangerous consequences in the real life application of this literature and the difference of experiences for women. In order to remedy the problematic nature of the literature on strategic nonviolent action, recognition of the contributions and experiences of women must first be established, followed by an incorporation of a feminist sociological perspective to nonviolent action.