Sexism and the War System

by Betty A. Reardon

This work integrates feminist scholarship with peace research to draw attention to the fundamental relationship between sexism and militarism. The author sees an unhealthy imbalance of male principles in modern society, leading to war, aggression, greed, and other embodiments of masculinity.

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1985

Reviews

[Ren Morton]

Written in 1985, Reardon is one of the first feminist peace researchers to theorize the symbiotic relationship between sexism and militarism. Set in the Cold War and the nuclear arms race, Reardon is working from a world order studies framework to issue a critique of both feminism and peace studies for their separatism. Her thesis is that a structural critique without a human component, or a human component without a structural analysis misses the transformational potential of feminism. She argues that elevating the most negative distortion of masculine and feminine values is central to the harm of globalized warfare. Instead, she looks to peace education that would instill the best of feminine and masculine values, changing the intestinal relations that would lead to structural change.

Some critiques will be offered on the rigidity of the gender binary characteristic of scholarship at this time, her emphasis on psychoanalytic theories of phallus envy popular at this time, and her theories of a universal resentment of mothers.

Nevertheless, her theorization of the connection between sexism and militarism holds true today, and, I would argue, provides even more evidence to substantiate her claim. Her final chapter offers a dose of hope, even as one remembers how scary her times were- placing the terror of our own political moment in perspective.

[Katie Richards]

Originally skeptical of the value of feminist scholarship, Reardon convinced me how sexism is an universal problem that sustains our system of violence. I read this for my Peace Studies class at Carleton College and it has changed the way that I think about peace research and how we treat one another. Definitely dense at times, but filled with innovative perspectives on gender roles, war, violence, and finding a culture of peace. Reardon strikes a good balance between calling it like it is and convincing you of the truth in her perspective without threatening her audience or being overly optimistic for change.

[Tara]

This book is to Conflict Studies what A. J. P. Taylor's 'Origins of the Second World War' is to 20th Century History. Moreover, if a gaggle of political scientists are at a cocktail party, my money is on the conversation mocking Reardon's argument laid out in this book.