Rethinking Gender Theory in World Perspective

Abstract

Rich and sophisticated analyses of gender have been produced around the postcolonial world.  But the theory in this work gets little recognition in the current global economy of knowledge.  Feminist sociology cannot treat global issues adequately until it appreciates the coloniality of gender, seeing the gender dynamic in imperialism and the significance of global processes for the meaning of gender itself.  The agendas, concepts, methods and epistemology of gender theory can now be re-thought, as seen in formidable texts already written about land, violence, interpretation, social movements and other issues.  An alternative economy of knowledge is emerging that can re-shape the global terrain of theory and its connections with practice.