Politics, Gender, and Concepts Theory and Methodology

Provides a systematically gendered approach to methodological issues in political science.

A critique of concepts has been central to feminist scholarship since its inception. However, while gender scholars have identified the analytical gaps in existing social science concepts, few have systematically mapped out a gendered approach to issues in political analysis and theory development. This volume addresses this important gap in the literature by exploring the methodology of concept construction and critique, which is a crucial step to disciplined empirical analysis, research design, causal explanations, and testing hypotheses. Leading gender and politics scholars use a common framework to discuss methodological issues in some of the core concepts of feminist research in political science, including representation, democracy, welfare state governance, and political participation. This is an invaluable work for researchers and students in women's studies and political science.

1. Introduction Amy G. Mazur and Gary Goertz; 2. Mapping gender and politics concepts: ten guidelines Gary Goertz and Amy G. Mazur; Part I. Gendering Concepts: 3. Gendering democracy Pamela Paxton; 4. Gendering representation Karen Celis; 5. Gendering the welfare state Diane Sainsbury; 6. Gendering governance Georgina Waylen; 7. Gendering development Kathleen Staudt; Part II. Gender-Specific Concepts: 8. Gender ideology: masculinism and feminalism Georgia Duerst-Lahti; 9. Intersectionality S. Laurel Weldon; 10. Women's movements, feminism, and feminist movements Dorothy E. McBride and Amy G. Mazur; 11. State feminism Amy G. Mazur and Dorothy E. McBride; Appendix. A website for additional gender and politics concepts.

Although gender scholars have identified the analytical gaps in existing social science concepts, few have systematically mapped out a gendered approach to concepts. This volume addresses the gap by bringing together leading gender and politics experts to discuss some of the core concepts of feminist research in political science.

Gary Goertz teaches political science at the University of Arizona. He is the author or co-author of seven books and over forty articles on issues of international politics, methodology, and conflict studies, including Contexts of International Politics (Cambridge, 1994).
Amy G. Mazur is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Washington State University. Focusing her research on comparative feminist policy issues, she has published numerous book chapters and articles and is author or editor of four books, including Theorizing Feminist Policy (2002).