The USA remains one of very few powerful democratic nations that are yet to elect a female head of state. This BA thesis aims to deconstruct the idea of the modern USA as a "post gender society" and show that gender in reality still matters - in society just as in presidential politics. Kaisers analysis first of all, aims to illustrate the different layers the famous glass ceiling is made of - in American society in general and in presidential politics in specific. Furthermore it displays how these invisible barriers have affected Hillary Rodham Clinton as an individual woman on her rise to power. And finally it proposes to analyze Clinton's changing strategies from 2008 to 2016 to deal with gender as a variable in her efforts to become president.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1) A Little History of Feminism, Power and Politics
2) Theorizing Gender Impact in American Presidential Politics
Sociological Barriers within the Political System
Structural Barriers within the Political System
Voter Attitudes towards Women Candidates
Media Impact on Presidential Campaigns
3) Theoretical Strategies to Overcome Gender Hurdles in a Presidential Campaign
4) Hillary Clinton & the Glass Ceiling
Clinton's Way Through the Presidential Pipeline
Clinton & The Voters
Clinton & The Media
5) Clinton's Changing Gender Strategies in 2008 & 2016
Clinton's Equality Feminism Approach 2008
Clinton's Difference Feminism Approach 2016
Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This thesis examines the persistent impact of gender on American presidential politics, focusing specifically on the career and campaign strategies of Hillary Rodham Clinton. The research aims to deconstruct the notion of a "post-gender" society by analyzing how institutional, societal, and media-driven gender biases continue to influence the viability of female presidential candidates, while comparing Clinton’s strategic shifts between her 2008 and 2016 campaigns.
- The historical and theoretical foundations of gendered power in American politics.
- Structural and sociological barriers, including the "presidential pipeline" and gender stereotyping.
- The influence of media coverage and public discourse on the perception of female candidates.
- A comparative analysis of "Equality Feminism" versus "Difference Feminism" as political campaign strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
FROM FIRST LADY TO MADAME PRESIDENT? CLINTON'S WAY THROUGH THE PRESIDENTIAL PIPELINE
It is fair to state that Hillary Clinton's biography is defined by a remarkable number of firsts. At the end of the Sixties when traditional gender roles were only starting to be challenged, Clinton entered Yale Law School as one of the first women. At a time when women in leading positions still presented an absolute exception, Clinton's career then seemed to accelerate at a speed even many male colleagues must have envied: at the age of 26 the only recently graduated Clinton already was recruited to be part of a small prestigious team of lawyers that was to develop a legal report on the impeachment of then-president Richard Nixon.
After her marriage to Democrat Bill Clinton, whom she had met at Yale, the young woman continued to diverge from gender norms: Clinton uncommonly decided to keep her own last name instead of adopting his - and while she decided to move to Arkansas with her man so he could follow his political career this never meant that she would give up her own. Even when Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978, Hillary Rodham kept on pursuing her own career in law, focusing much of her work on child protection programs - a topic she had already fought for during her student days. In 1980 her daughter Chelsea Clinton was born. After only a few weeks off Clinton returned to her job.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the historical context of women in American politics and sets the scope for analyzing Hillary Clinton's political journey within the framework of persistent gendered barriers.
1) A Little History of Feminism, Power and Politics: Traces the historical trajectory of the American feminist movement and women's struggle for political representation from the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention to the 1992 "Year of the Woman".
2) Theorizing Gender Impact in American Presidential Politics: Examines the theoretical underpinnings of gender bias, exploring how sociological stereotypes and structural institutional barriers create hurdles for women seeking the presidency.
3) Theoretical Strategies to Overcome Gender Hurdles in a Presidential Campaign: Analyzes the dual challenges of the "tough versus caring" and "experience versus change" binds, introducing Equality and Difference Feminism as strategic responses.
4) Hillary Clinton & the Glass Ceiling: Provides a detailed case study of Clinton's professional rise, her time as First Lady, and the media-driven scrutiny that has shaped her public identity.
5) Clinton's Changing Gender Strategies in 2008 & 2016: Compares Clinton's "Equality Feminism" approach in 2008 against her "Difference Feminism" strategy in 2016, assessing the efficacy of these methods in navigating the modern political landscape.
Conclusion: Synthesizes findings on how the interplay between gendered expectations and campaign tactics has evolved, highlighting the ongoing influence of gender in the 2016 presidential election.
Keywords
Hillary Clinton, Gender Politics, Glass Ceiling, Presidential Campaign, Feminism, Equality Feminism, Difference Feminism, Media Bias, Political Strategy, Gender Stereotypes, Voter Attitudes, American Presidency, Structural Barriers, Double Bind, Political Pipeline
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this bachelor thesis?
The work investigates the role of gender in American presidential politics, using Hillary Rodham Clinton’s career and her 2008 and 2016 campaigns as a primary case study to illustrate how gendered stereotypes and structural hurdles impact female candidates.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
Key themes include the historical exclusion of women from the public sphere, the "glass ceiling" in presidential politics, the influence of media narratives, and the tension between "Equality" and "Difference" feminist strategies.
What is the central research question?
The thesis explores how Hillary Clinton has navigated and attempted to overcome gender-based barriers to secure the presidency, and how her strategic framing of her identity has evolved over time.
Which theoretical framework does the author apply?
The author utilizes theories from gender and political studies, specifically referencing works by scholars like Susan J. Carroll, Regina G. Lawrence, and Melody Rose to understand gender bias and campaign strategies.
How is the main body of the work structured?
The text begins by establishing a historical and theoretical basis for gender impact, proceeds to analyze structural obstacles and media influence, and concludes with a comparative evaluation of Clinton's changing political strategies.
Which concepts are essential for characterizing this study?
Central concepts include the "presidential pipeline," "double binds," "masculinized imagery" in reporting, and the strategic differentiation between "Equality Feminism" and "Difference Feminism."
Why does the author consider Hillary Clinton's 1999 Senate bid a smart political move?
The author argues that the Senate serves as a primary "path to the presidency," providing the necessary political experience, funding, and national attention required for a serious presidential candidacy.
How did Clinton's 2008 strategy differ from her 2016 approach?
In 2008, Clinton primarily utilized an "Equality Feminism" approach, downplaying her gender to emphasize experience and toughness; in 2016, she shifted toward "Difference Feminism," actively embracing her identity as a woman and mother to foster connection and historic appeal.
- Quote paper
- Catherina Kaiser (Author), 2016, Beyond The Woman's Card. The Politics of Gender in Hillary Clinton's Second Presidential Campaign, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/453193
