Governing the Feminist Peace: The Vitality and Failure of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
By Paul Kirby and Laura J. Shepherd
Columbia University Press, 2024
In “Governing the Feminist Peace,” the authors Paul Kirby and Laura J. Shepherd embark on an intellectual adventure, unfurling audacious perspectives on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. This first collaborative effort by the duo pulses with profound insights gained through years of meticulous research, presenting a textured and multi-layered analysis that probes the heart of WPS.
With a critical lens, Kirby and Shepherd assert that the WPS agenda has, for far too long, been confined to a stunted narrative—a mere cog in the machinery of state discourse or technical jargon, sidelining its relational richness and complex fabric. This tendency, they argue, echoes throughout the discipline of International Relations (IR), particularly within positivist paradigms. In stark contrast, they propagate an expansive vision of WPS, drawing from critical IR frameworks, governance theories, emotional politics, as well as feminist and post-colonial discourses, all while refusing to dissolve complexities into simplistic explanations. Their mantra resonates: “to involve, not to explain” (p.26), underscoring their situatedness within the intricate tapestry of WPS dialogues.
This book emerges as a significant cornerstone in WPS scholarship, articulating five pivotal contributions that reverberate through its pages. To begin with, it reimagines WPS as a vibrant ‘policy ecosystem’—a milieu of interwoven actors and actions, thriving in relational multiplicity. Subsequently, it transcends the oversimplified dualism of vitality versus failure, positing these states as entwined realities within WPS, a state akin to an ‘archipelago amid a constant tempest’ (p.55). The work further delves into the inherent tensions, fractures, and contradictions that characterize any feminist peace initiative. The authors press for a granular understanding of WPS that moves past flat, one-dimensional portrayals. Lastly, they introduce the captivating concept of ‘bricolage’ (Särmä, 2015), a creative assemblage technique that they champion as a promising methodology for invigorating IR scholarship with diverse insights.
Divided into eight chapters, “Governing the Feminist Peace” laces together a foundational narrative before leading into more analytical territories. The introductory trio of chapters lays a comprehensive groundwork by surveying extant WPS literature, articulating the ecosystemic paradigm of policy interplay and advocating for a holistic rethinking of WPS beyond normative confines. The quantitative rigor of chapter three meticulously maps a whopping 237 policy documents, encasing a spectrum from UN frameworks to National Action Plans (NAPs), effectively setting the stage for intricate discussions that follow.
Shifting to the historical dimension, chapter four probes the evolution of ten WPS resolutions, employing practitioner interviews to unearth their political resonance. Through the lens of vivid metaphors such as the series, duel, and theatre, Kirby and Shepherd illuminate the multifaceted dynamics and relationships cultivated throughout the WPS structural formation, vehemently challenging any narrative that reduces it to the United Nations’ orchestrations alone.
In chapter five, attention pivots to the role of nation-states in “domesticating the gender perspective,” contesting the mistaken belief that mere publication of NAPs equates to progress. Here, the authors call for a contextual examination, meticulously scrutinizing intersections of Indigeneity, race, and the colonial states’ narratives, while critiquing reductive interpretations of Indigenous voices.
Chapter six unveils the pivotal role of civil society within the WPS ecosystem, revealing the discord and paradoxes festering within the agenda. The juxtaposition of institutions like NATO, which touts gender inclusivity as both ethical and effective (an idea astutely examined by Von Hlatky, 2022), against the backdrop of groups like the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)—which must reconcile its abolitionist ethics within the WPS framework—serves as a microcosm for broader contradictions essential to the agenda’s vitality.
The concluding analytical chapter investigates the fringes of the WPS ecosystem where novel alliances burgeon across policy landscapes. The exploration of synergies between WPS and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), alongside intersections with arms control and disarmament, uncovers how these liminal spaces can yield both innovative breakthroughs and potential dead ends (p.203).
In the culminating chapter, Kirby and Shepherd distill the essence of their arguments, unraveling six critical tensions woven into the fabric of the WPS ecosystem. These tensions—spanning concepts of gender, the delicate dance between vulnerability and agency, hegemony versus multiplicity, inclusion juxtaposed with abolition, hierarchical concerns, and the ongoing tug-of-war between concepts of peace and security—reflect the swirling complexities confronting feminist peace initiatives today.
Yet, while “Governing the Feminist Peace” thrives on its rich, incisive exploration, it is not devoid of limitations. A notable gap lies in its accessibility, as it often treads a path reserved for those steeped in WPS intricacies or critical IR theory, potentially alienating newcomers to the field. Non-experts may find certain sections laden with jargon, which could curtail the book’s wider resonance.
Additionally, although the authors adeptly spotlight the internal frictions of the WPS ecosystem, they provide scant tangible strategies for practitioners and policymakers grappling with these dilemmas. A more hands-on approach that outlines actionable pathways for aiding actors navigating the turbulent waters of feminist ideals against institutional realities could significantly enhance the book’s pragmatic value.
Lastly, while the nods towards Indigeneity, race, and coloniality are commendable, a broader engagement with non-Western perspectives on WPS, augmented by case studies from the Global South, would amplify the text’s claims regarding WPS’s relational depth. This expansion could enrich the understanding of global challenges and opportunities facing the WPS agenda on a universal scale.
In essence, “Governing the Feminist Peace” stands as a compelling, multi-dimensional examination of the WPS agenda, inviting scholars and activists alike on a thought-provoking journey through the complex terrain of feminist peace studies.
