Body Politics

This chapter examines the gendered underpinnings of neoliberal development strategy as embodied in development institutions, a key modus operandi of which is the 'neoliberal globalisation' thesis. Gender matters' study concerns the analysis of norms and standards in the global political economy that many hold to be true, essential and universal but a committed critique of which reveals to be power laden, regulatory and highly restrictive. The neoliberal argument is that 'gender equality' leads to improved living standards, sustainable economic growth, and effective and accountable governance. Neoliberal assumptions in contemporary world politics constitute powerful models for human interaction and behaviour because they are based on the assumption that people everywhere adhere to the rule of the market. The chapter presents some key development institutions such as International Labour Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organisation (WTO). As espoused by the leading development institutions, neoliberal development strategy is based on four central tenets: marketization, privatization, deregulation, and flexibilisation.