This paper uses a feminist lens to investigate to what extent feminist perspectives contribute to the understanding of contemporary security challenges. The concentration of this paper lies on human trafficking as a security challenge. While it is acknowledged that other security challenges exist, this paper aims to provide a thorough analysis of a particular case to address the research question. Human trafficking is of great relevance, as it is a transnational crime which affects every country in the world whether as country of origin, transit or destination for victims.
This paper compares the traditional approach of realism with the feminist perspectives with reference to human trafficking, focusing on the respective security referent, security threat and policy focus. Instead of taking on a specific lens of each tradition, the commonalities of realism and feminism are taken as a basis to analyse human trafficking to ensure comparability. This paper argues that feminist approaches to security contribute to a great extent to the understanding of human trafficking as feminist perspectives shift the focus of traditional security theories from state security to human security. Moreover, feminists put attention to the social construction of a gendered hierarchy which marginalises victims of trafficking, and in turn hinders the state to set an adequate policy focus to combat human trafficking.
This paper is structured as follows: the first chapter looks at the concept of ‘Contemporary Security Challenge’, outlining six criteria which define what constitutes a Contemporary Security Challenge. The second chapter explains the case selection of human trafficking by applying the established criteria to this particular case. The third chapter outlines the viewpoints of the traditional security approaches on human trafficking, focusing mostly on the realist perspective, while the fourth chapter analyses human trafficking using a feminist perspective. In the fifth chapter, a discussion reviews the results of the analysis.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definition of a Contemporary Security challenge
- Case selection Human Trafficking
- Traditional security approaches to human trafficking
- Feminist perspective on human trafficking
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the contribution of feminist perspectives to understanding contemporary security challenges, specifically focusing on the case of human trafficking. It examines the issue of human trafficking through both traditional security approaches and a feminist lens, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each perspective.
- Defining and analyzing contemporary security challenges
- Examining the issue of human trafficking as a case study
- Comparing traditional security approaches (e.g., realism) with feminist perspectives
- Highlighting the focus on human security and the social construction of gender within feminist perspectives
- Analyzing the implications of feminist perspectives for understanding and addressing human trafficking
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the paper's focus on the intersection of feminist perspectives and contemporary security challenges, specifically examining the case of human trafficking. The chapter also provides a brief overview of the paper's structure and methodology.
- Definition of a Contemporary Security challenge: This chapter defines the term "contemporary security challenge" by analyzing different conceptualizations and identifying six criteria for determining what constitutes a contemporary security challenge. These criteria include non-state actors, transnational scope, and non-military nature.
- Case selection Human Trafficking: This chapter justifies the selection of human trafficking as a case study by demonstrating how it meets the previously established criteria for a contemporary security challenge. It also provides background information on the prevalence and impact of human trafficking.
- Traditional security approaches to human trafficking: This chapter explores the perspective of traditional security approaches, focusing primarily on realism, on the issue of human trafficking. It examines how traditional security approaches define the security referent, threat, and policy focus.
- Feminist perspective on human trafficking: This chapter delves into feminist perspectives on human trafficking, highlighting their emphasis on human security, the social construction of gender, and the marginalization of victims. It analyzes how feminist perspectives contribute to a deeper understanding of the root causes and consequences of human trafficking.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The paper examines the intersection of feminist perspectives and contemporary security challenges, particularly the case of human trafficking. Key terms and concepts include human security, gendered analysis, social construction, transnational crime, human trafficking, traditional security approaches, realism, and policy focus.
- Quote paper
- Inga von der Stein (Author), 2017, To what extent do feminist perspectives contribute to our understanding of Contemporary Security Challenges? The Case of Human Trafficking, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/383167
