A contradictory theme seems to run through the extensive literature on women in politics. The shrill calls for gender blindness are echoed by even more shrill calls for greater female representation. Some find it hard to see the logic in this. Nevertheless, the facts are that if one does discriminate between politicians on the grounds of gender then there are more men who choose to go in for the profession.
Even in China where there has supposedly been equality between the sexes since the days of Madam Mao it appears that plans are afoot to ensure that equal gender numbers are voted into office in free and fair elections.
The relatively few ladies in power do a disproportionately good job. Nevertheless fewer females than men put themselves forward for election even though exactly the same conditions apply.
One very obvious trait of successful females in politics is that they appear not to be biased towards their own gender. Julia Gillard seemingly did not single out girls for special condolences after flood damage in Australia. Hilary Clinton did not play the gender card in her battle to become president of the United States. She earned respect by fighting on issues that were not gender specific. When Helen Ziller was elected as premier of a South African province she chose an all male cabinet and was immediately accused of sexism because she refused to appoint a token cabinet member on gender grounds.
Activists are prone to expressing the view that the world will be a better place when there are more women in power. They foresee a changed political landscape where politicians will adopt as their political slogan, 'politics with feminine characteristics'. History does not support this view. Boudica personally hacked off heads, Golda Meir was behind the raid on Entebbe airport and Mrs Thatcher sent battle ships off to the Falkland Islands faster than one could say 'Argentina'
Even though females tend to be very successful as politicians they remain in the minority. The reason why may be found in the thoughts of the philosopher Machiavelli. He proposed that in positions of power the individual has to choose between being loved or feared. It may be that most women in politics prefer to be loved than feared
Even in China where there has supposedly been equality between the sexes since the days of Madam Mao it appears that plans are afoot to ensure that equal gender numbers are voted into office in free and fair elections.
The relatively few ladies in power do a disproportionately good job. Nevertheless fewer females than men put themselves forward for election even though exactly the same conditions apply.
One very obvious trait of successful females in politics is that they appear not to be biased towards their own gender. Julia Gillard seemingly did not single out girls for special condolences after flood damage in Australia. Hilary Clinton did not play the gender card in her battle to become president of the United States. She earned respect by fighting on issues that were not gender specific. When Helen Ziller was elected as premier of a South African province she chose an all male cabinet and was immediately accused of sexism because she refused to appoint a token cabinet member on gender grounds.
Activists are prone to expressing the view that the world will be a better place when there are more women in power. They foresee a changed political landscape where politicians will adopt as their political slogan, 'politics with feminine characteristics'. History does not support this view. Boudica personally hacked off heads, Golda Meir was behind the raid on Entebbe airport and Mrs Thatcher sent battle ships off to the Falkland Islands faster than one could say 'Argentina'
Even though females tend to be very successful as politicians they remain in the minority. The reason why may be found in the thoughts of the philosopher Machiavelli. He proposed that in positions of power the individual has to choose between being loved or feared. It may be that most women in politics prefer to be loved than feared
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