Revisiting governing from feminist and queer perspectives
29 June 2006 @ University of Kent
A one day workshop by the AHRC Research Centre for
Law, Gender and Sexuality
The workshop will explore the contribution feminist
and queer theory can make to how we think about the
character and practice of regulation and governance.
It will focus in particular on governmentality, changing
forms of governance, political and democratic values,
and the relationship between affectivity and state power
within post-industrial liberal states.
The day included plenary talks by Marianna
Valverde, Judith Squires,
Janet Newman and Jon Binnie,
alongside three consecutive sessions.
Each session will be introduced by short presentations,
highlighting key themes and issues, leaving plenty of
time for discussion.
Key Questions:
To what extent, and in what ways, do feminist and
queer theories and perspectives provide a purchase
on the changing character of Western governance, sovereignty
and rule?
Do feminist and queer theories assist our analysis
of social movement and community power vis a vis both
the state and supra-national entities such as the
EU?
Can actor-centred feminist and queer theories contribute
to understandings of governmentality and political
rationality?
Are moves towards inter-agency working and governmental
partnerships, evident in countries such as Britain,
signs of a more feminist-sympathetic perspective or
of something else?
Can feminist and queer work provide productive
insights into the affective nature, values and ethos
of national and supra-national rule?
Do metaphors of the “male” or gendered
state aid or hinder analyses of governing?
Janet Newman: 