Award Date

12-15-2019

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Political Science

First Committee Member

John Tuman

Second Committee Member

Michele Kuenzi

Third Committee Member

Elizabeth Maltby

Fourth Committee Member

Danielle Roth-Johnson

Number of Pages

318

Abstract

This dissertation examines the impact of transnational feminism in Iran and Argentina. Specifically, it focuses on the role of the diaspora and international communities and their interactions with social movements in these two countries. Although the study of transnational feminism is not a new phenomenon, very little research has been dedicated towards distinguishing the effects and differences in outcomes when either the diaspora or the broader international network is involved. By filling this gap in the literature, this dissertation will shed light on whether the diaspora community, NGOs, or the international community is necessary for success or favorable outcomes in the area of women’s rights. To analyze both cases, I draw on the theoretical literature on social movements, with a focus on modes of contention, access to resources, and the degree of cohesiveness between movements in each country and their respective diaspora communities. After discussing the development and heritage of feminism in Iran and Argentina, I use process-tracing to compare movements in the period of 1976-2018. This research uncovers that there are key factors to a social movement’s success including: regime stability, elite divisiveness, domestic awareness, and international awareness; having all four of these factors present is crucial for the success of a transnational feminism movement. Moreover, I find that in instances where the diaspora community is involved, there is less cohesion and more contention, which often bears unfavorable outcomes or results in the dissolution of a movement. In contrast, this research lends support to the notion that the integration of the international community is crucial for more favorable outcomes. While the diaspora community has ties and knowledge of the home country, the NGOs are able to work cohesively and lend resources to organizations within the home country in an effort to raise public awareness, gain international support, and place pressure on governments to ensure change.

Keywords

Argentina; Femicide; Iran; Islamic Feminism; Transnational Feminism; Transnationalism

Disciplines

International Relations | Political Science

File Format

pdf

File Size

3.3 MB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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