Feminist perspective of globalization: need of an alternative

(For Continuous Evaluation for Law and Justice in a Globalizing World )

Teacher-In-Charge

Dr. FS Sakkarnaikar, Assistant Professor of Law

Dr. Udayakumara RBN, Assistant Professor of Law

Dr. K Parameswaran, Assistant Professor of Law

Submitted By

Aparajita Anand

19LM01
Feminist perspective of globalization: need of an alternative.

Introduction

If we study globalization and its impact on the world so far the attainment of global justice is
concerned, there are many approaches to it. Some of those approaches are of feminist, post
modernist, critical legalist etc. Globalization in its wider scope refers to economical, cultural,
social, political advancements due to expansion of transnational technologies, migration,
communication, economic production. This article will focus on the subset of critique of
globalization by feminism amongst all other subsets related to globalization, so far the
globalization is failing to attain the global justice which should be of the prime importance
while dealing with globalization. In simple world attainment of global justice should be the
goal of globalization. Direct or indirect impact of the socio-economic political and cultural
transformation due to globalization on the approaches of the feminism is quite obvious. There
were disagreements and opposes to this very transformations which lead them to find new
approaches, strategies and responses to this changing reality. From taking away particular
nation and making it worldwide, the globalization resulted into a disputed terrain, which raise
new challenges and needs, but it also cannot be denied that new possibilities also generated
,and all these need to be addressed by an approach which can resolve the challenges as well
as intact the positive impacts also.

This perspective tries to emphasis and destroys the socially constructed femininity and
masculinity. In spite of looking for the reason of changing dynamics of global and local,
transnational connectivity in technology, economy, identity like other theories, they are
mainly concerned with women’s structural subordination to men. They were of opinion that
the global communication silenced and suppressed women. In the era of globalization,
challenges to feminism, around the globe, they are struggling against the ingrained
institutions i.e. religion, government, and culture. Some of them are struggling for identity;
some are struggling for equal representation in government. It’s all about balancing the
competing views and ensuring the equal justice to women under fair laws.

Globalization in the last two decades had a prominent affect on the developing nation’s
women. The global culture is seem to be privileged towards the western culture and political
norms and by doing so this western norms are been presented as models to the remaining
world and amidst all these phenomenon the women’s indigenous movement are ignored and
marginalized in southern part of global. Basic understanding of globalization and feminism is
required to understand the challenges and there resolution as per feminist approach.

Globalization

Globalization, if broadly to be seen, it can be seen as economic globalization and political

globalization. Although it cannot be defined under a concrete definition but different
approaches has been taken into course to explain. Globalization as internationalization,
liberalization, universalization, as westernization, and respatialization with the spread of
transplanetary social connection, has been so far tried to be explained. In simple words it can
be seen as something which is not limited or restricted to physical boundaries.

In the late 20th century economic globalization which was fuelled by neoliberal ideal emerged
which is a process of global economic integration. The basic idea behind was free individual
choice. And ask for unregulated capitalist economy which will enhance economy and growth
which results into technical progress and distributive justice. To ensure so there are
institutions on global level such as international monetary fund, World Bank and world trade
organisation.

These policies are basically of free trade policies termed as trade liberalization, easing of the
trade restrictions on the flow of capital and foreign investments along with those unfair trade
barriers imposed by governmental regulation. These neo liberal ideals also seek elimination
of the legal protections provided to consumers, workers, and the environment. More the
economic globalization more privatisation of assets and it is resulting into handling of state
owned enterprises now by private entities for the sake of expanding and making market more
efficient. The wholesome purpose is to achieve globalization through minimal state.1

As per feminist philosophers the economic globalization must be look into with respect to its
impact on the women. Because, it is the women who have a great share global poor. Many of
the thinkers accepted the negative effect of globalization. Such one thinker argues that though
this globalization promised various aspects such as peace, prosperity, better societal status of
women, social and economic justice, which are crucial for feminism but failed to do so and in
1
Vilde skorpen wikan,’ what is ‘Neoliberalism’, and how does it relate to globalization’(E-International
Relations Students, 21 Mar 2015)https://www.e-ir.info/2015/03/21/what-is-neoliberalism-and-how-does-it-
relate-to-globalization/ accessed on 25 October 2019;
return it created situation of havoc, increased militarism, the rich poor gulf become deeper
and resulted into a system hostile to women.2

Economic globalization is interconnected with political globalization but also having

significant differences. Political globalization simply a shift I political power due to increase
in supranational engagements. The shift can be seen in pre and post of 2 nd world war. Prior to
the 2nd world war there was Westphalian model in international political system which is
exercise of political power through the territorial state governance, in simple terms monopoly
of sovereign states ,while the relation among states were governed by international
treaties.3Post world war, with emergence of international organisations such as united nation,
the European Union, the world trade organisation NATO, ASEAN, and others the state
centric model shifted to polycentric model. These institutions create international rules which
limit the state sovereignty and this is “globalization from above”. The UN and EU has dealt
with issues like injustices towards women, child labour, labour standards, human right issues
but many of the feminist argued that this supra-national institutions is very limited in success
so far protecting theses rights are concerned. The transnational political movements which
emerged “from below” the state offer more promising dimension of political globalization as
per many feminist.

Feminist approaches to globalization

Different theoretical perspectives have been drawn by feminist to analyse globalization. The
three prominent approaches of which are of postcolonial, ethics of care and transnational
feminists. It is quite difficult to bifurcate them completely but they possess some distinctive
feature which has been identified.

2
Alison M. Jaggar ,’Is Globalization Good for Women?’ Comparative Literature, Vol. 53, No. 4. (Autumn, 2001),
pp. 298-314;

3
N. Fraser, ‘Reframing Justice in a Globalized World. Fortunes of Feminism: From State-Managed Capitalism
to Neoliberal Crisis, New York: Verso(2003), pp. 189–209;
Postcolonial and third-world feminisms

On the backdrop of western colonialism and imperialism, these thinkers critically analysed
globalization .They claimed that without understanding the historical and economic contexts
of any developing country it is not possible to understand the local practices because it is
their economical and historical connection with western colonialism and imperialism which
shapes their local practices.

These postcolonial feminist are of view that many a time while explaining the suffering of
women in developing countries actually tends to reproduce the colonial stance and the highly
criticize such approaches. One of such feminist scholar, Uma Narayan from third world
countries highlighted and criticize feminist activist like Mary Daly stand because she
criticized sati practice as self evidently wrong. However Narayan was of view that cultural
practices should not be approached as isolated but should be analysed in rich. As sati practice
gained its symbolic power while in British rule as a symbol of Hindu culture. She highlighted
how colonialism has role in shaping local practices and only by understanding this role we
can avoid adopting a Eurocentric perspective.4

Postcolonial feminist further have opinion that even after the end of colonialism, many of the
aspects of globalization are understood as neo colonialism. Such as multinational companies
and global business, mostly settled in western world and have colonizing influence through
displacement of traditional trades, exploitation of workers in developing countries and third
world countries. This neo-colonialism depletes a culture y flooding society with western
products, values or ideals.5

Postcolonial and third world feminist observe that most of the conditions such as economical
inequality, racism, cultural marginalization and the domination of global south by global
north are intensified and sustained be neo liberalism. These neoliberal institutions and
policies favour the global south and detrimental to global south. International economic
organisations claim to protect the global interest and to be politically neutral and fair but in
reality protect the interest and give privileges to western culture and political norms and in
name of presenting global model these institutions are promoting western model for rest of

4
, U. Narayan, ‘Male-Order’ Brides: Immigrant Women, Domestic Violence, and Immigration Law,
Hypatia’(1995), 101–119;
5
S. J. Scholz, Feminism,( Oxford: One World Publications);
the world and in all this claims of women and indigenous movement are ignored and
marginalized in global south.6

Ethics of care

Another prominent school of feminist perspective to globalization put care, both caring
labour and the moral ideal of care, at the central point of analyses. The thinkers are of view
that globalization either ignored or devalued care. The care work which is mostly done by
women is influenced by globalization and there must be some alternative to this which
prioritize the moral ideal of care.

As per the view of proponents of this approach the neo-liberalism presupposes that the
relation between individuals is established by choice and there is no need or dependency on
each other, this presumption prioritize economic growth, efficiency and profit making and
ignored values, such as human rights, equality, and care. These feminists reject this
presumption and according to them human beings are fundamentally independent and
relational and the individuals are defined and constituted by the values and caring
relationships. There are three assumptions for a global ethics of care as per the view of
Hankivsky7 firstly, that care is the fundamental of human life, secondly, all humans are
interdependent because they are part of an ongoing relation of care and because of being a
part of such ongoing relation of care the third assumption is that he people are entitled to
care. Because this theory based on relational ontology, the thinkers are of view that the global
political leaders should develop such economical and political policies which prominently
should strive to meet human needs and reduce the human suffering over expanding market
and increasing economic competition. There should be “global duty to care” for which
individuals should also take responsibility and should make their contribution against global
oppression.8

6
C. Weedon, ‘Key Issues in Postcolonial Feminism: A Western Perspective’, Gender Forum: An Internet
Journal of Gender Studies
7
O. Hankivsky, ‘Imagining Ethical Globalization: The Contributions of a Care Ethic,’ (2006) Journal of Global
Ethics, 2(1): 91–110.
8
S. Miller, ‘The Global Duty to Care and the Politics of Peace,’(2006)  International Studies in Philosophy,
38(2): 107–121.
Transnational feminism

According to transnational feminist globalization is the reason behind the feminist solidarity
across national boundaries. But transnational feminism is somewhere contrasted with
international or global feminism. Transnational feminism also takes the differences among
the women into account. As per the global feminism, the patriarchy is universal and the
women across the world have common experience as far the oppression to them is concerned.
They advocated the solidarity of women across the world although the transnational feminist
also recognised the solidarity but across national boundaries. Transnational feminist carefully
pointed out that although globalization affected everyone but the affect is different to women
of different geographical and social location. They are also of view that this globalization
may benefit women of some geographical and social location while adversely affecting many
others.

According to transnational feminism the feminist solidarity is not due to shared common
characteristic such as common gender identity or patriarchal oppression. But the transnational
feminist solidarity is basically due to shared political commitments because of which
advantaged individuals joined in solidarity with those who actually experienced injustice or
oppression directly.9

Is globalization good for women?

The answer to this question depends upon the understanding one has in the mind so far the
terms ‘globalization’, ‘good’ and which ‘women’ is concerned. The understanding of the
term globalization has already been discussed. The advocates of Globalization promise that
global neo liberalism will fulfil some goods. Globalization will lead us to economic
interdependence which will ensure war as unthinkable which will result into good of ‘peace’.

The advocates say that globalization will ensure prosperity and social justice as each
individual and country will be rewarded as to the proportion of their contribution to global
market. And the scarce resources and increased economic efficiency will be allocated to the
mutual benefit of all.

Trade liberalization requires freedom of movement and expanded communication which will
also result into increased ‘democracy’.

9
A. Ferguson, ‘Feminist Paradigms of Solidarity and Justice,’(2009) Philosophical Topics, 37(2): 161–177.
The increase in competition at world level will surely encourage the competitor to eliminate
the wastes. The natural resources will be conserved and any transnational environmental
hazard will be dealt with by coordinate action. Thus it will ensure ‘environment protection’.

Due to transnational movement and thus mixing of population and culture will subsequently
further into ‘end of racism and ethnocentric’ and neoliberal globalization will eliminate local
forms of patriarchal power and thus will empower the women to take equal participation in
polity as well as economy.

But how far the neo liberalism is able to achieve this goods and what is the ground reality. If
we look back we will find many civil war, armed rebellion and proxy wars, and India facing
war and war like situation and middle east crisis, conflicts in African nation and increase in
terrorism are proves that how this globalization failed to maintain peace. And the affect of
war and conflicts on women in very simple terms explained by Angelina Jolie who is an
actress and special envoy to UN high commissioner for refugees in the words “Women, we
know, are the first to be affected by war and the last to be taken into consideration”.

If we see one side of coin, we will find that the world is getting prosperous but if we dig
dipper we find that it is only limited to certain part of the world or the certain section of a
nation and this prosperity and social justice are not reaching to the other section. The
sustainable development goals report 2018 shows that there are 38 million hungry people
added to what was there a year ago. In the least developed countries the proportion of public
having access to electricity has doubled between 2000 and 2016. Nearly 900 million people
still practice open defection and in 2016 about 200 million people died due to malaria. This
clearly shows the partial prosperity to some section and rest being ignored and deprived. 10
The gaps are not only between global north and global south but also within them. Women in
global north, especially of colour, are disproportionately lacked by the economic inequality
which is due to free trade which resulted into moving out of well paid jobs to low wages area
in global south. This globalization no doubt is beneficial to elites or second world country
from privatisation and thus exploiting publicly owned resources but on other hand this is
dismantle to welfare states and thus degrading the quality of life there. Many women who are
generating income in global south are not a part of formal but informal economy. Their work
10
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2018, available on:
https://www.un.org/development/desa/publications/the-sustainable-development-goals-report-2018.html last
accessed 31 november, 2019.
is not regulated as per the standards. This neo liberal globalization also increased the
sexualisation of all women from objectifying them in advertisements to sex works. The
multibillion dollar pornography legal or illegal industry played a significant role in this. In
many Asian countries sex tourism is flourishing. Due to colonialism an image of the women
related to other cultural group defined exotic and native and thus black or brown women are
still portrayed erotic by European and North American media while in non European
countries white women are eroticized. That is why a million of women are employed in
global sex trade as sex worker outside of the origin countries. As per the UN reports 70% of
the poor are women.

Neoliberal globalization promises to further democracy but feminist are of view that it has
contradictorily affected the democratic governance. It has diminished national sovereignty
and excluded poor people and women from the process. But it also cannot be denied that it
created transnational communities which give a new parameter of democratic participation.
Now the democracy has to been ensured at global level but many of the feminist thinkers are
of view that women are adequately representeted at global level in global institutions such as
WTO and World Bank and also these bodies are unofficially dominated by MNCs and
wealthy nations. The lack of representation of women at global level can’t be compensated
by increased representation in national politics because these bodies have surpassed the
national sovereignty, most importantly of poor nations.11

Alternative recommendation

Neoliberal globalization actually concentrated wealth and power in hand of some, give
unequal access to resources by centralization of power and no democratic accountability. It
also resulted into environmental destruction and racism. Further a possible alternative will be
discussed to ensure the equal development to men and women in every part of the world. We
have to redefine prosperity, peace, democracy, healthy environment, racial/ethnic diversity
and what is actually good for women.

Simply absence of conflict or war between sovereign states can’t be a parameter to say that
there is peace. It also has to be look upon the ability of different nations to impose economic
embargo and how it adds on the vulnerability to the weaker nations. Imprisonment of large
local population, by judicial institution, who are engaged in non violent crimes due to
poverty, has to be analysed. Is it justified to say that world is at peace when it is in hand of
11
Jaggar( n2);
few to decide whether there is a violation and what should be the appropriate punishment?
Until the hundreds of millions of women are missing, forced in sex works, withheld from
education, medical care, nutritious food and subjected to mutilation, rape, battery; there is no
real peace and security.

Prosperity need to be redefined as growth which is more than in commodities and material
consumption. It should be something which is sensitive both towards the quality of living and
also to the inequalities in the material access. Trade need to be in real sense free, which will
happen only if the poor nations will also have alternative to participate in an economic
system. How the resources should be globally distributed to ensure the globalization for all?

Democracy need to be institutionalized at global, regional and national level. There should be
equal share of those nations in the governance of global economy even who have unequal
share in economy. Claims of global citizen need to be looked after so far global resource is
concerned. Democracy should reach in household and families.

Every change in environment is beneficial for some but at cost of other. It is to be ensured
that the human impacts on environment do not benefit already wealthy and powerful groups
at expense of poor and weak.

Compensations to the groups who suffered injustice in past and the human equality should be
combined with respecting the cultural differences.

Women are a part of world community and every mentioned challenge are hindrance to
achieve them the global justice. As declared by Hillary Clinton during United Nation fourth
World Conference on Women in 1995 where the Beijing platform for action was adopted in
the words,” human rights are women rights and women rights are human rights, once and for
all.

Conclusion

Globalization gives many of the challenges to feminist thinkers who are striving for an
alternative to the neo liberal globalization which will ensure global justice and a reality which
equally responds to both men and women. The globalization is not going to end and they are
also not asking to end it but the steps need to be taken otherwise in near future these
challenges are going to be enhanced and increased. The prominent challenge for everyone is
to make globalization fairer to everyone in the globe to reach global justice.
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298–314.

3. Narayan, U., ‘Dislocating Cultures: Identities, Traditions, and Third World

Feminism,’(1997) New York: Routledge Press

4. Scholz, S. J.,  ‘Feminism’,(2010) Oxford: One World Publications

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