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Towards a Feminist Ethics of War: Rethinking Moral Justifications for Contemporary Warfare

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Towards a Feminist Ethics of War: Rethinking Moral Justifications for Contemporary Warfare Towards a Feminist Ethics of War: Rethinking Moral Justifications for Contemporary Warfare Jillian Anne Terry A thesis submitted to the Department of International Relations of the London School of Economics and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, September 2015 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my knowledge, infringe upon the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 83, 957 words. 2 Abstract This thesis begins by arguing that dominant ethical approaches to the study of war in International Relations have failed to illuminate the moral and ethical complexities present in contemporary war practices such as drone warfare, private military contracting, and counterinsurgency. Such approaches are unable to account for the changing nature of war and resultant shifts in the ethical landscape of modern conflict. In particular, there has been a tendency amongst mainstream perspectives on the ethics of war (including here just war theory as well as traditions based in conceptions of rights and justice) to continue to view contemporary political violence in an abstract and individuated sense, whereby subjectivity and agency are constituted in isolation from other actors. This viewpoint obscures a central realm of ethical activity in war: the relational and experiential aspects of modern warfare where moral knowledge and understanding are constituted in relation to the needs of others, through a sense of responsibility, awareness, and connectedness with those around us. As an alternative to these existing approaches, this thesis engages in a re- description of feminist ethics premised on the notion of care. The theoretical framework constructed therein articulates a feminist care ethical vision based in four key areas: relationality, experience, empathy, and responsibility. These points assert the need for a relational ontology; recognize the importance of lived reality and experience; demonstrate a commitment to responsiveness and connectedness to others; and acknowledge a responsibility to the needs of particular others as central to morality. Using this framework, the remainder of the thesis explores the ethical nature of drone warfare, private military contracting, and counterinsurgency to demonstrate the usefulness of such a feminist ethical lens to our understandings of morality in post-9/11 conflict. In so doing, the framework exposes the complex web of relationships and experiences that are at work in the ethical decision-making processes of those who participate in and are impacted by war. It uncovers a new articulation of how ethics plays out in international conflict – one that acknowledges our constant interactions as social beings in the world, which continuously shape and reshape moral action. 3 Acknowledgements After a decade of university education, the thought of acknowledging all the support, encouragement, and guidance I’ve received along the way is a daunting – if not impossible – task. The four years I’ve spent at the LSE writing this PhD have taught me, among countless other things, that by surrounding yourself with a caring and supportive network of mentors, friends, and family, even the most challenging of projects can be accomplished. Knowing that I have never been alone during this often-lonely process has been the greatest comfort of all. This research would not have been possible without the thoughtful guidance and endless patience of my supervisor, Professor Kimberly Hutchings. I am grateful not only for the careful and supportive way in which she has read my work since the outset of this project, but also for the intellectual space she provided me in order to question, explore, and engage with my own ‘feminist curiosity’ throughout the entirety of this PhD. The clarity of Kim’s feedback and her insightful questions continually helped me to think (and rethink) about what my work could be – and for that I am immensely thankful. There were scarcely better moments during this process than leaving Kim’s office after a productive meeting, feeling newly motivated and re-invigorated to keep writing. My deepest appreciation is also extended to my thesis examiners, Dr. Caron Gentry (University of St Andrews) and Dr. Marsha Henry (LSE), for their support and guidance. Their kindness during my viva was so considerate and reassuring, and their detailed and attentive comments on my thesis submission have been invaluable during the revision process, resulting in a much-improved piece of doctoral research. I am extremely fortunate that my academic journey to date has been filled with inspiring people that have helped to guide my path forward over the past decade. My sincerest thanks go to Fiona Robinson, not only in her role as my MA supervisor and helping me to first acknowledge the value of feminist ethics in our understanding of the world, but also for introducing me to Kim’s own work and encouraging me to pursue doctoral research at the LSE. I am also enormously grateful to Amanda Bittner and Russell Williams, whose support and guidance since I first wandered into their offices as a shy undergraduate student has had immeasurable impact on my development as both a feminist and a scholar – I am so happy to count you both as mentors and friends. 4 Thanks also to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission as well as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for their generous financial support – this PhD research would not have been possible without their assistance. I have been so proud to represent Canadian scholarship during my time in the UK at the LSE, and am thrilled to be a member of the SSHRC and Commonwealth Scholarship communities as I continue to develop my research. On a personal level, I am so appreciative for the amazing company of wonderful friends in London and in Canada who have supported me throughout this endeavour - I have felt unending love and encouragement from so many inspiring individuals. Thanks especially to Jeanette, Jess, and Stef for many a late-night group Skype chat and for rejuvenating reunions in a variety of cities near and far; to Stephanie for being the best conference roommate and collaborator a gal could ever ask for; and to Melissa, Alena, and our PhD compatriots for the numerous on- and off-campus coffee dates, lunches, and Lincoln’s Inn Fields sunshine breaks. You have all been so important to me during this challenging time of my life, and have helped me to keep things in perspective (as much as is possible during any PhD, anyway…) and to remember that there is indeed life beyond the seemingly endless drafts and revisions. My deepest gratitude, however, is reserved for my family. To my parents, Rick and Elaine, thank you for always daring me to dream big, beginning from my very first day of kindergarten at St. Matthew’s. Your constant encouragement to work hard for what I believe in, and to have unending faith that things will always happen as they’re meant to, has made everything I’ve accomplished so far possible. Your unwavering love and support has always been with me regardless of how far I am from the little island we call home, and for that I am eternally grateful. To my sister, Amanda – thank you for being my very first student, in my early days of ‘teaching’ in our basement! Your hard work and determination are a constant source of inspiration for me, and I am so thankful for the friendship we have shared as girls and now as women. Finally, to David – thank you for always being my teammate. The love, kindness, and support you’ve shown me everyday throughout this long journey are what has encouraged me to keep going. Knowing that you are by my side has made it infinitely easier to get out of the valleys and back into the light, and I am so glad we are on this adventure together. 5 Table of Contents CHAPTER ONE Finding a Feminist Framework: Rethinking the Ethics of Contemporary War 1.0 Introduction 8 1.1 War and Feminist Ethics: A Theoretical Approach 9 1.2 Empirical Understandings of Morality in Post-9/11 Warfare 11 1.3 A Lens of Feminist Ethics: Research Commitments and Structure 14 CHAPTER TWO The Changing Nature of War: Perspectives on Twenty-First Century Political Violence 2.0 Introduction 16 2.1 Transformations in Warfare after the Cold War 16 2.2 Feminist Understandings of War 23 2.3 The Importance of Ethics: Morality and New Wars 32 CHAPTER THREE Ethics of War: The Evolution of the Contemporary Just War Tradition 3.0 Introduction 33 3.1 Just War Principles: Of War, In War, and Beyond 34 3.2 Moral Judgments of Combatants and Non-Combatants 44 3.3 The Ethical Complexities of Contemporary Warfare 49 3.4 New Bottles, Old Wine: Problematizing the Contemporary Just War 56 Tradition 3.5 Feminists Theorizing Just War 60 3.6 Feminist Responses to the Problems of Just War: Successes and 66 Limitations CHAPTER FOUR Feminist Ethics of War and Peace: Proposing a Critical Feminist Ethical Framework 4.0 Introduction 72 4.1 Rethinking
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