Better politician: men or Women
Is women better or men? Can "she" do more work then "he" does? Can she stand in elections? Few very big questions that leads to never ending debates. Not only debates, also the pending decisions, who is more worth to form a good society, from centuries, acceptance by the people who dint stop discriminating yet and realizations that "Female" and "Male" is just two words which describes gender not the amount of power or the description of hard workmanship. According to today's societies theory – society associates successful leadership with stereotypically 'Masculine' traits such as assertiveness and dominance, and so disapproves of female leaders because they violate these gender norms'. Besides this theory, the recent rise of transformational leadership and its emphasis on traditionally 'feminine' traits like empathy, collaboration and emotional intelligence, could the expectations of female leaders be shifting?
It's hard to determine that what will be the future statistics. Still, after the equal rights to men and women, at many points of time and places women are underrepresented. 90 years after the 19th amendment guaranteed their participation in American politics, women are still greatly underrepresented in elected office. But underrepresentation of women can't deny the fact that women can be the good politicians or we can say better than men. On going study by Sarah Anzia at Standford university and Christopher Berry at the university of Chicago has found that districts served by women legislators are at a distinct advantage over those represented by men; U.S. congresswomen bring home roughly 9% more discretionary spending than congressmen. When I turn the pages of my history book I can find many examples of women leaders who has been proven better than men and nick named as iron lady of that particular nation, this makes me more supportive for women leaders in the nation. Benazir Bhutto, she is one of the biggest examples for Pakistan, 11th prime minister of Pakistan; drove an initiative for Pakistan's economy and national security and she implemented capitalist policies for industrial development and growth, she is a women after ten men who took such a big initiative. How can I forget "Indira Gandhi", 2nd longest serving prime minister of India after her father; she went to war with Pakistan in support at the independence government and war of independence in east Pakistan, which resulted in an Indian victory, not only the victory but the birth to new country. Benazir Bhutto and Indira Gandhi sets two big examples that women are capable of taking big decisions on their own. But I believe that women are not only capable of taking decisions, they also sets the example of how can one be the premier for the life without holding any position. Joan Kirner has said – "My being premier, whatever people thought of my government, showed that a woman, a feminist, can be premier and win the respect of business, unions and the community." This clearly shows the enthusiasm and passion of women towards their work or leadership.
As time is moving on we can see that women are becoming stronger and powerful, presently in India Women are there ruling in all the four directions, Jammu and Kashmir (North) – Mehbooba Mufti is the present Chief Minister then in West Bengal (East) – Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu (South) – Jayalalithaa, and in Gujarat (East) – Anandiben. Aung San Suu Kyi has currently being the idol woman for Myanmar; the result of her struggle from past 30 years is been finally seen in Myanmar. She bought the biggest regime type change; From Military rule to Democracy. Which no man can do. Aung San Suu Kyi has set the testimonial. I would like to conclude by stating that Gender has nothing to do with being a better politician. Men and women can make excellent as well as lousy politicians. Some of the brightest and toughest politicians in India have been women. This is also true of UK, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The only country which has not seen a woman in the number one slot is the US.
By: Purna Agrawal
20153033
You could have looked more closely at the work of Sarah Anzia at Standford university and Christopher Berry at the university of Chicago which you mention and engaged with it more closely.
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