The Space Between Us: Negotiating Gender and National Identities in Conflict

by Cynthia Cockburn

Overview

Even in places of deadly national enmity, some very ordinary people are routinely doing peace. In this highly original study, Cynthia Cockburn deepens our understanding of the processes sustaining conflict in Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine and Bosnia/Hercegovina by means of a close involvement with three remarkable women's projects that have chosen co-operation. How, she asks, do they fill the dangerous space between them with words instead of bullets? How do they make democracy out of difference?

The book brings fresh insight to theories of the self in relation to collective identities, and of gender in nationalist thought and practice. Observing, in words and photographs, how these women's alliances create a safe space in which to work together, we learn more about the dangers of essentialism and the problematic relationship between identity and democracy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781856496186
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/01/1998
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Cynthia Cockburn is a research professor in the Department of Sociology, City University London. She is the author of a number of highly acclaimed books, including In the Way of Women: Men's Resistance to Sex Equality in Organizations (1991) and Machinery of Dominance: Women, Men and Technical Know-how (1985).
Cynthia Cockburn is a research professor in the Department of Sociology, City University London. She is the author of a number of highly acclaimed books, including In the Way of Women: Men's Resistance to Sex Equality in Organizations (1991) and Machinery of Dominance: Women, Men and Technical Know-how (1985).

Table of Contents

Introduction
• Women and Nationalism
• Northern Ireland
• Women's Activism in a Divided City
• The Women's Support Network, Belfast
• Israel/Palestine
• Across an Abyss: Women in Northern Israel
• Bat Shalom, A Woman's Group for Peace
• Bosnia-Hercegovina
• Women in a Disintegrating Yugoslavia
• Medica, Women's Therapy Centre
• Identity and Democracy

Editorial Reviews

"Filled with photos, this is another important book from the folks at Zed." --Feminist Bookstore News

"Cynthia Cockburn, both the activist and the writer, has been important for feminists all over the world for many years now. She is one of the all too rare people who combine a sharp analytical mind, unwavering feminist and anti-militaristic political commitment and a warm and caring heart. They are all reflected in this fascinating book which is based in Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine and Bosnia-Hercegovina with activist women's groups working across ethnic and national boundaries." --Nira Yuval-Davis, University of Greenwich/Australian National University.

"In three gritty, nuanced, feminist-informed case studies, Cynthia Cockburn reveals what sort of political acts it takes to build and sustain" --through dangerous days, over wearying weeks

"What is new about Cockburn's book" --which should come with a warning that 'this book changes lives'

From the Publisher

Deepens our understanding of the processes sustaining conflict in Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine, and Bosnia/Hercegovina by means of a close look at three remarkable women's projects that encourage women of different backgrounds to fill the space between them with words instead of bullets. These women's alliances bring fresh insight to theories of the self in relation to collective identities and of gender in nationalist thought and practice. Includes b&w photos. Paper edition (unseen), $25.00. Distributed by St. Martin's Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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