Description
This paper seeks to provide a critical reflection on the epistemology underlying feminist foreign policy (FFP), its development and its conception. While FFP is neither homogeneous nor unitarily defined, it can be broadly understood as a multidimensional approach that fundamentally emphasizes the needs, experiences and well-being of marginalized groups and individuals that challenges major paradigms, ‘traditional’ concepts, global power hierarchies and hegemonic systems. As such, FFP is often perceived and presented as a seemingly universal normative approach, either withholding or not addressing its epistemic embeddedness and epistemic biases – in theory and practice. However, FFP, and especially its past and historical emergence, must be critically investigated. Comprising and (re)producing particular knowledge, FFP is situated in certain contexts and embodies a specific positionality that needs to be addressed and questioned: To what extent does FFP embody kinds of epistemic violence(s)? In what ways is epistemic violence(s) inscribed in the conception of FFP? And what impact does it have on power dynamics and FFP? Does FFP (re)produce certain power dynamics in the international sphere, or does it fulfill its potential to offer a power-critical and transformative approach to foreign policy? This paper starts from the hypothesis that the emergence and historical foundation of FFP are rooted in certain narratives that are epistemically shaped by white, Western narratives and concepts. Hence, FFP entails forms of epistemic violence that are perpetuated through its (re)presentation and public perception. A deconstructive approach aims to shed light on the epistemic violence of FFP as well as the role of FFP in the reproduction of various interconnected power structures. Thereby, the paradox of FFP’s self-expectation and claim in opposition to its lack of a critical reflection of FFP’s inherent epistemic violence is dismantled and (gender) hierarchies illuminated.
