Political Theory

Building on the success of the first Political Theory Section in Barcelona 2013, the section seeks to bring together a wide range of feminist theorising. In deploying the concepts of gender, gendered oppression, sexuality, heteronormativity, intersectionality and others as critical perspectives, feminist political theory de-constructs and re-defines mainstream concepts of political studies. It is a heterogeneous and controversial field, and it has evolved in inter-disciplinary discourse and in connection with feminist movements. Latest discussions have been stimulated by post-colonial theories, critical “race” studies, queer studies and disability studies among others. Moreover, cross-disciplinary exchange facilitates the identification of novel political phenomena which demand critical scrutiny from a gender perspective. Feminist debates about (state) power, citizenship, justice, representation, resistance and agency suggest that political theories are themselves political. Theories not only depict political realities, but are themselves part of political processes; they might reproduce or challenge a specific order of knowledge about society and politics. Such “onto-epistemological” contributions can function in repeating, re-shifting or subverting political boundaries, exclusions, and hierarchies. We invite panels and papers that engage with current themes, concepts and debates in (feminist) political theory and/or discuss the relationship of theory to empirical research. They may deal with gendered violence, emotions or affects, new materialism, nationalism and globalization; discuss economic perspectives and work with concepts such as neoliberalism, biopolitics and governmentality. This list is by no means restrictive: any investigations of politics and/or the political within the framework of feminist political theory and philosophy are welcome.