Chapter Towards a feminist theory of war economy : IN Book: War Economy

Abstract

War Economy: Gendered Circuits of Violence and Capital examines the war economy from feminist perspectives, bringing fresh thinking in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions. This book challenges the common understanding of war economy as a state‑driven, top‑down project necessitated by a conflictual international order. It introduces the concept of gendered circuits of violence – different types of violence across space and time – to conceptually and empirically link crises and wars through flows of capital, bodies, weapons, and militarised technologies. It deals with real‑world conflicts, including in Gaza and Russia/Ukraine as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Liberia, and Mexico. With increasing calls for the development of a war economy, especially in Europe, and broad acceptance that the global political economy is rapidly being primed for war, this book’s feminist political economy analysis and alternatives are vital and urgent. War Economy will appeal to students, scholars, and policymakers in the areas of International Political Economy, Politics and International Relations, Gender Studies, Security Studies, and War, Peace, and Conflict Studies.