Research
To What Extent are International Relations Constructed from an Individual Psychological Approach?
By challenging a constructivist state-centric tendency and focusing on values/ideas, this paper explores an analysis of the agent-structure argument throughout individual agents’ behaviour. Although foreign policy analysts such as Hermann and Hudson previously examined individual psychology, they have done so through generalised analytical categories that lacked methodological strength and did not engage with constructivism. This paper deciphers the genesis of the decisions made by leaders, with a view to managing foreign policy change. Examining the studies concerning individual psychology of personality traits and FPA, it dialogues between constructivism and psychology. By examining Gorbachev’s leadership in Soviet foreign policy, a psychologicalconstructivist assessment allowed the analysis of leaders and their personality traits through norms’ internalisation. Drawing on Whole Trait Theory (WTT), this paper approaches a method not yet applied in International Relations (IR). Thus, both the constructivist critique and the WTT appliance in an individual case innovatively takes Hermann and Hudson’s work further. The paper opens a new research field with detailed sets of worked-through methods, throwing light on Gorbachev and how his personality shaped global policy.
To What Extent do Female Body Representations Create an Intersectional Understanding of Media Discourse?
Despite media significance, a lot still needs to be learned about how women's bodies are (re)presented in media narratives and the ensuing implications of these representations for women’s health. The construction of a uniform socio-culturally feminine image regime of truth owing to the feminine body shape standard evolved due to mainstream Western media’s fascination with a slender female physique (Aapola, et al., 2005). In our culture, those who do not adhere to such aesthetic standards are often left out of discussions about feminine identity (Duncan, 1994).
To What Extent Can Body Politics be Used to Define Afghan Womens Sexuality as Locations of Power and Control under Taliban’s Rule? A Contemporary Foucauldian Interpretation of Femininity in Body Politics
Central Asia. Iran to the west, and Pakistan to the east. We are in Afghanistan, and more specifically, in a Taliban-controlled country. The character of national politics and social connections in Taliban Afghanistan has been shaped by harsh gender policies and patriarchal restrictions. The Taliban's leadership has exacerbated the country’s weak social structure and lack of a centralised, modern state, resulting in a severe case of underdevelopment (Goodson, 2001). Statistics are instructive: socio-economic issues such as unemployment and poverty account for 20% of national concerns, while education account for 12%, and finally, a lack of essential amenities for 8% (Bizhan, 2013). In this difficult situation, it is logical to wonder: who are the most vulnerable members of this fractured society? The focus turns to women. Indeed, women are the demographic segment paying the largest price for Afghan shortcomings in terms of Taliban decision-making. Taliban’s severe regulations on women, who are denied of countless social opportunities under the Taliban patriarchal culture, disguise Afghan underdevelopment, resulting in detrimental inequalities inside the country (Moghadam 2002).
