WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT PART I
The last four essays established the premise for the recitorial society, related it to the educational system, the social welfare system, and women’s entrepreneurial activity. This essay will address women in government at the highest levels.
Probably the most well-known woman Head of State was Indira Gandhi, who as India’s third Prime Minister ruled over a nation of more than one billion people. Her father Pandit Nehru served as India’s first PM and was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, both activities adding to the charisma of the Gandhi and Nehru names and their influence.
Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, the first woman Asian President, was also well-known in America because of its ties to her country for more than a century. Her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino, the leader of the opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos, had been assassinated.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Her husband who also had been PM was assassinated while in office.
Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was the widow of President Ziahur Rhaman, who had been assassinated while in office.
Another well known Asian Head of State was Benazir Bhutto, whose father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had been Prime Minister of Pakistan
These women Heads of State had various levels of popularity, notoriety, success and failure, probably not more nor less than their male counterparts. The one factor they all had in common was a kinship with some man who had been prominent in government and/or society. Not one of these women had a political career in her own right.
Some will argue that Asian women had it more difficult than Western women to enter and succeed in politics, and that family ties helped to give entrance to women in politics; whereas, in Western countries such as England these ties are not necessary as evidenced by the political success of Margaret Thatcher.
Great attention has been given to Mrs. Thatcher’s achievement as the first woman Prime Minister of England. She earned the reputation as the Iron Lady. How much attention or understanding will be given to the fact that she failed because as a woman she pushed through the restraints on her conduct? Women, not knowing propriety, require behavioral parameters drawn by husbands, societal mores, religious practice, legal restrictions, corporate standards, or political practice. The removal or disregard of these restraints results in their downfall as is evidenced by almost daily media coverage depicting the deteriorating conduct of women in all levels of society when their behavioral parameters are removed; having the most powerful position in government does not provide an exemption.
Margaret Thatcher was quoted as saying, “I don’t mind how much my ministers talk, as long as they do what I say.” She thought she was better than the party that gave her political opportunity and stepped out of the normally expected parameters of her relationship with it; they ousted her because of her arrogance.
Her party was in power at the time of her ouster. To draw an American analogy to what happened to PM Thatcher, it would be similar to the Democrats having a caucus and publicly censuring President Obama while still in office. These actions are just not done. Margaret Thatcher’s career came to an end not because of the opposition party, but because of dissatisfaction by her own party.
Margaret Thatcher got too big for her bloomers.
Also, not only did all Asian women Heads of State have a kinship with some man, (father, husband, or brother) who had been prominent in government and/or society, but most women Heads of State have a similar relationships. Who is familiar with Margaret Robbins? When she married Denis Thatcher the road to Head of State began. Already a wealthy man, paying for her legal education that enabled her to become a barrister, buying a home in a neighborhood where she met people of substance and influence, having a name that opened doors that might have been shut to her, sitting on the boards of various corporations, eventually being crowned with the title Baronet, his position helped to enable his wife to become the first woman Prime Minister of England.
Are there any exceptions on the American political scene?
Some are predicting that a woman by the name of Hillary will run for President in 2016.
What is her last name?
E.G.
