Transition to democracy? Gender critique of social science theories of transformation and democratization

The "malestream" in social science research on transformation in former sta te-socialist countries is gender-blind. Neither empirical studies about the transition to democracy nor theories of transformation consider gender to be an important category of social and political change. Models of modernis ation and social differentiation as well as concepts of transition to democ racy, theories of political action, and political culture approaches are le ading to specific gender deficits in the analysis and theory of social and political transformation. Thus, in order to develop a concept of political transition and democratization that is gender-susceptible, we are in need o f an epistemological turn: Transition and democratization are not gender-ne utral processes which only affect women, men and gender relations. Rather, gender is an immanent relation of transformation and democratization or - i n a strong version - political transition and the restructuring of gender r elations are aspects of shifting boundaries between public and private as w ell as state and society.