Royal signals feminisation of western politics-by Gideon Rachman
In a couple of years, it is entirely possible that the presidents of France and the US and the chancellor of Germany will all be women. Ségolène Royal’s success in securing the French Socialist party’s nomination for next year’s presidential election is evidence of a historic shift. Women may no longer be at a disadvantage when they stand for the highest political offices in the western world. In fact, being a woman can now be a considerable electoral asset.
Ms Royal’s success in winning the Socialist nomination owed something to her ability to bring new women members into the party. Mrs Clinton may also attempt to rally women’s votes. In her recent book The Case for Hillary Clinton, Susan Estrich, a law professor and political operative, presents voting for Mrs Clinton as a feminist duty.
Of course, there are many people in the US who believe that Mrs Clinton cannot win. No senator has won the presidency since 1960; she is a north-eastern liberal with little appeal in the south and west; and she is regarded as a divisive and chilly personality. All true – but she is also the leading Democratic candidate, at a time when the Republicans are reeling.
No comments:
Post a Comment