by Wayne Campbell
Politics is frequently viewed as a gender-specific vocation and practice grounded in patriarchy.
Political masculinity addresses ways in which masculine norms, values and identities are entrenched in political discourse and leadership styles. Globally, the participation of women in representational politics has had a scattered approach. Yet, women remain the bedrock of political parties. Women in politics or those who might be considering entering politics have the added burden of balancing their families along with their careers. Representational politics is not a 9 to 5 job. On the other hand, men are permitted to be absent from their families or to play a surrogate role, given the adherence to historical stereotypical gender roles. In this regard, masculinity has remained hidden from critical enquiry.
In recent times, there has been a resurgence of populism and nationalism across the globe. Right-wing populism in particular has always been misogynist and sexist. Right-wing populism often runs counter to feminism, gender studies and gender equality. In fact, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not big-ticket items in governments that ascribe to populism. The goal in such societies centres on the restructuring of families along traditional gender roles. In this approach, the invisibility of women becomes the centre piece, and gender-based violence is normalised.
Disappointedly, even where women have broken the glass-ceiling, masculine traits, such as, “iron lady” are attached. Former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, Indira Gandhi of India and Eugenia Charles of Dominica are examples. Other women who have attained the office of prime minister, such as Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica, Mia Mottley of Barbados and Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, have all had to navigate carefully in a Caribbean culture steeped in patriarchy and political masculinity. Such sexist paradigms attached to women are often left unchallenged. However, in a progressive society, we ought to interrogate this negative trend.
Human Rights
The cult-like personality surrounding populist leaders promotes masculinisation of politics. Populist leaders often take on the persona of an authoritarian ruler, and this approach usually runs afoul of issues concerning human rights. Interestingly, a political leader can have a strong personality and still embrace the tenets of human rights. Globally, there are numerous examples of such leaders.
The United Nations defines human rights as rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
Political Masculinity
Political masculinity, particularly in its traditional or “toxic” form, is associated with a range of negative outcomes affecting individuals, political systems, and society as a whole. These negative traits stem from the emphasis on characteristics such as aggression, emotional suppression, and dominance as prerequisites for power. Authoritarian leadership refers to any situation where a leader keeps hold of as much power and authority as possible. Also known as coercive or dictatorial leadership, authoritarian leaders tend to keep all the decision-making authority to themselves. Such leaders make the decisions about policies, procedures, tasks, structures, rewards and punishments themselves.
The intent behind most authoritarian leaders is to maintain control, and they usually require unquestioning obedience and compliance. There are those who will argue that political masculinities are essential to the reproduction of power relations. Power relations refer to the dynamics of power between individuals or groups, influencing who has authority and control in various situations. These interactions shape societal structures, political systems, and organisational hierarchies, impacting decision-making processes and resource distribution. Understanding power relations is crucial for analysing social inequalities and fostering fair and equitable environments. Unfortunately, political masculinity reinforces gendered inequalities. Additionally, the silencing of diverse voices is yet another casualty of political masculinity. There are those who will cite examples where political masculinity is rather useful for holding a country together. Often, Libya under the leadership of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Iraq under Saddam Hussein, and Syria under Bashar Al-Assad are cited as examples. With the fall of both leaders, both countries descended into anarchy. However, our memories are short-term, and the stories of those who suffered under such brutal leadership are easily forgotten.
The Interrogation of Masculinity
Interestingly, the world has not uniformly rejected political masculinity. In some regions, leadership is still strongly associated with masculine traits like toughness, dominance, and authority. These qualities are often celebrated as necessary for “strong” governance. This renegotiation shows that masculinity in politics is resilient; it adapts to cultural shifts rather than disappearing. The 2024 US Presidential Elections must also be viewed through the lens of political masculinity. Former First Lady Michelle Obama said, “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”
When policy approaches become militarised or framed through a lens of militarised masculinity, the voices and alternative solutions offered by women and marginalised groups are often drowned out. In rejecting political masculinity, the global community must embrace a culture of political harmony. Political harmony is a state of societal agreement and peaceful coexistence where diverse groups cooperate within accepted governance, characterised by minimal conflict, mutual respect, and effective dialogue, allowing for progress on public goals rather than endless infighting.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
