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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis delves into the complex relationship between gender and presidential politics in the United States, focusing on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. The goal is to deconstruct the notion of a "post gender society" in the USA and demonstrate the continued relevance of gender dynamics, particularly in political arenas.
- The impact of "the glass ceiling" on women's political aspirations, particularly in the context of American presidential politics.
- The role of sociological and structural barriers within the political system that hinder women's political progress.
- An analysis of voter attitudes towards women candidates and the influence of media representation on presidential campaigns.
- An examination of strategies employed by Hillary Clinton to navigate gender-related hurdles in her presidential bids.
- A comparative study of Clinton's changing gender strategies in the 2008 and 2016 campaigns.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The thesis begins with an examination of the historical context of feminism, power, and politics in the United States, highlighting the struggles faced by women in achieving political equality. Chapter 2 delves into the theoretical frameworks surrounding gender impact in American presidential politics, exploring sociological and structural barriers, voter attitudes, and media influence. It then analyzes how these barriers have impacted Hillary Clinton's political career. Chapter 4 focuses on Clinton's strategies for navigating the "glass ceiling" in her 2008 campaign, while Chapter 5 examines the evolution of her approach to gender in the 2016 campaign.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study explores key themes such as gender politics, presidential elections, Hillary Clinton, the "glass ceiling," voter perceptions, media representation, feminism, equality, and difference feminism. It examines the interplay of these elements in shaping the landscape of contemporary American presidential politics and the role of gender in influencing the outcomes of these campaigns.
- 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
