Which forms of domination does critical theory examine besides class inequality?

In the context of international relations and political philosophy, critical theory seeks to understand and overcome the social structures that oppress human beings. While the movement is historically rooted in Marxism and the analysis of class inequality, critical theorists recognize that domination is multifaceted.12

Beyond class, critical theory examines forms of oppression and domination based on:

• Gender: Investigating how gender-based roles are socially constructed and used to maintain hierarchical power dynamics.2
• Race: Analyzing how race functions as a socially constructed category to justify exploitation and systemic inequality.3
• Religion and Ethnicity: Addressing how these identities are utilized to create divisions and exercise control over specific groups.2
• Nationalism: Examining how national identity and geopolitical structures can be used to impose alien rule or justify the dominance of one group over another.24

By identifying these diverse mechanisms of power, critical theory aims to foster human emancipation from all institutionalized practices that inhibit freedom and equality.12