Beyond binaries: (European) security in feminist and postcolonial perspective

ABSTRACT

This conclusion to the special issue notes the persistent use of binary frames in conceptions of (European) security. Such frames reify and limit our ability to make sense of key security challenges, not least by occluding their gendered and racialised dimensions. Therefore, it asks: How to move beyond binaries towards a more nuanced, inclusive and impactful conception of (European) security? Developing an answer via synthetic engagement of the articles in this collection – and their sources in gender and postcolonial studies – it argues that we can begin to challenge binaries with a relational approach operationalised by linking three concepts: intersectional positionality, performativity and allyship. By thus acknowledging the plural and performative thrust of intersecting security stances, the pieces in this collection point to the promise of situationally appropriate forms of allyship across positions, bringing a broader range of voices and insights to security agendas.

KEYWORDS:

• Security
• Europe
• gender
• postcolonial
• foreign policy
• feminism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/europe-interregnum-our-geopolitical-awakening-after-ukraine_en

2 For an intellectual history of such frames which centers Middle Eastern / post-colonial perspectives, and assessment of the relevance of EU-Middle East relations see, Fisher-Onar 2021b and Fisher-Onar 2023b)

3 Notably, the Istanbul Convention.

4 As the authors note, other states like South Africa and Costa Rica have elements of feminism in their foreign policy doctrine but do not use the label (see also Haastrup 2020).