Masculinities in international relations

Paul Kirby

Chapter 7 in Handbook on Gender in World Politics, 2026, pp 38-43 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: International politics is dominated by men, from politics to business, religion and culture. The situation has persisted for so long that it may seem unremarkable. But for gender and feminist scholars the past and present of masculine power raises profound questions about where the power comes from, how it is secured and reproduced, and what its relationship is to other structures of power and identity. In short, what does patriarchy have to do with being a man? In this chapter I briefly survey gender and feminist approaches to masculinity, beginning with the ‘hegemonic masculinity’ framework of Raewyn Connell, before exploring multiple masculinities and possible futures. Despite the persistence of patriarchy, masculinity is not singular. Masculinity typically involves privilege and status, but also obligation and harm. There are marginal, subordinate and queer masculinities as well as military, macho and hegemonic ones. All are bound in complex ways to global politics.

Keywords: Masculinity; Patriarchy; Men; Hegemonic Masculinity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803923765
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