Across the globe, women have made great strides in economic, political and social spheres, but this has not taken away the rigid gender division of labour and unfair hierarchies. True, women participate in some political processes, but they are under-represented in governments and national decision-making groups. Men, around the world, still dominate international security apparatuses and give votes to the making and fighting of wars. It is this global gender order that produces the global political order. Interestingly, while gender is an important aspect of global politics, it is still not fully integrated into the academic study of international relations. However, critical voices from the feminists have forced the discipline to rethink its traditional orientation to include women’s experiences. The feminists in this discipline have re-examined some of the key concepts, such as security, governance, and terrorism, among others. They now ask questions such as whether it makes a difference that most foreign policy decision makers are men and why women remain relatively disempowered in matters of foreign and military policies. By doing so, these feminists have struggled to make women visible as subjects in international relations. Feminists suggest that if we put a gendered lens on international politics, we get a unique view of international politics. This course examines this suggestion by taking gender as a unit of analysis in international politics.
- Teacher: ARAYO SUSAN
International Organizations (IOs) exist as both public and private entities. The former refers to intergovernmental organizations, whereas the latter are also known as non-intergovernmental organizations, such as OXFAM, CARE International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), et cetera. Multilateralism is an essential aspect of IR. It connotes the interconnectedness of states in an international system within which states can no longer afford to adopt an isolationist tendency. The Union of International Organisations (2024 Yearbook of International Organizations) estimated the existence of over 45,000 active organizations from 300 countries, including intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations. This course focuses on these IOs and their influence on domestic politics and international relations.
Since these IOs exist everywhere, they are an important subject of study. They are also very central to various aspects of international relations. Several debates surround the essence of these and their authority vis-à-vis nation-states in international life. They have and still provide answers to some of the world’s problems, such as environmental challenges, financial crisis, poverty, and diseases, among others. It is undeniable what their contribution is and therefore, this course seeks to delve into aspects of their origin, roles, challenges, and dynamics and specifically evaluate them as cases where they have existed.
Since these IOs exist everywhere, they are an important subject of study. They are also very central to various aspects of international relations. Several debates surround the essence of these and their authority vis-à-vis nation-states in international life. They have and still provide answers to some of the world’s problems, such as environmental challenges, financial crisis, poverty, and diseases, among others. It is undeniable what their contribution is and therefore, this course seeks to delve into aspects of their origin, roles, challenges, and dynamics and specifically evaluate them as cases where they have existed.
- Teacher: ARAYO SUSAN