Collective Consciousness and Gender

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

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2. I Versus We: Introduction to Collective Consciousness

   • Alexandra Walker

   Pages 1-12

3. Collective Consciousness in Theory

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 13-13

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   2. Entanglement: The Interaction Between Individual and Collective Consciousness

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 15-33

   3. Collective Consciousness Theory in Sociology

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 35-46

   4. Collective Consciousness in Psychology

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 47-58

   5. The Field Hypothesis: Quantum Phenomena and Mind/Matter Interaction

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 59-68

   6. The Collective Self Framework

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 69-81

   7. The Collective Unconscious: How Collective Consciousness Is Distorted

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 83-103

   8. How Collective Consciousness Works

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 105-110

4. Collective Consciousness in Practice: Gender in International Law

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 111-111

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   2. Case Study Part One: The Collective Consciousness of Gender

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 113-156

   3. Case Study Part Two: Unconscious Gender Role-Playing

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 157-197

   4. Case Study Part Three: Raising Consciousness—Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflict

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 199-250

   5. Case Study Part Four: Different Perspectives on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 251-271

   6. Case Study Part Five: Empowering the Masculine and the Feminine in International Law

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 273-289

   7. Final Observations

      • Alexandra Walker

      Pages 291-292

5. Back Matter

   Pages 293-354

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This book explores collective consciousness and how it is applied to the pursuit of gender justice in international law. It discusses how the collective mode of behaviour and identity can lead to unconscious role-playing based on the social norms, expectations or archetypes of a group. Alexandra Walker contends that throughout history, men have been constructed as archetypal dominators and women as victims. In casting women in this way, we have downplayed their pre-existing, innate capacities for strength, leadership and power. In casting men as archetypal dominators, we have downplayed their capacities for nurturing, care and empathy. 


The author investigates the widespread implications of this unconscious role-playing, arguing that even in countries in which women have many of the same legal rights as men, gender justice and equality have been too simplistically framed as ‘feminism’ and ‘women’s rights’ and that giving women the rights of men has not created gender balance. This book highlights the masculine and feminine traits belonging to all individuals and calls on international law to reflect this gender continuum.

• Analytical psychology
• CEDAW
• Collective consciousness
• Collective self
• Gender-based violence
• Feminist theory
• International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
• International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
• Men’s rights and Women's rights studies
• Social psychology
• Sociology of human consciousness
• Gender Studies

• Centre for Social Impact, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia

  Alexandra Walker

Alexandra Walker is a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales, Australia. She has practiced law and her research focuses on human rights and leadership.

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