A few months ago, there has been an innovation in German history: A female Federal Chancellor had been elected. Angela Merkel is the first woman since the existence of the Federal German Republic supposed to rule the country. From the very beginning, when her election campaign started, this meant hard work for her.
First, when she still was chairwoman of the CDU, she had a rather masculine and unkempt appearance as well as image, for which many people made fun of her. But for her election campaign, she suddenly started changing this image. On the election posters, you could see a neat and smiling Angela Merkel. Considering this, one is tempted to assume that this changing of image helped her to achieve her election victory and that a feminine image is generally helpful for succeeding at political level.
But does this mean that female rulers are better rulers? Are supposedly typical female properties like empathy, intuition and benignity better premises for ruling a country than strictness and the ability to assert oneself? Or are women who rule only poor copies of male rulers? I will especially examine this in the history of Britain, where for centuries there has been a long tradition of male as well as female rulers.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Typical Female Properties
3. British Queens
3.1. Queen Mary I
3.1.1. Biographical Facts
3.1.2. Reflection
3.2. Queen Elizabeth I
3.2.1. Biographical Facts
3.2.2. Reflection
3.3. Queen Mary II
3.3.1. Biographical Facts
3.3.2. Reflection
3.4. Queen Anne
3.4.1. Biographical Facts
3.4.2. Reflection
3.5. Queen Victoria
3.5.1. Biographical Facts
3.5.2. Reflection
3.6. Queen Elizabeth II
3.6.1. Biographical Facts
3.6.2. Reflection
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines whether female rulers are inherently better equipped for governance than their male counterparts by analyzing historical British queens and exploring the impact of gender-typical traits like empathy, intuition, and benignity on political decision-making and the pursuit of peace.
- Comparative analysis of historical British queens from Mary I to Elizabeth II.
- Investigation into traditional gender roles and their influence on political power.
- Assessment of "female properties" such as empathy and intuition in political leadership.
- Historical context of the British monarchy and the evolution of royal authority.
- Evaluation of whether gender-specific traits lead to more peaceful governance.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1. Biographical Facts
Mary I was crowned Queen in 1553, then being 37 years old. For a daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, she stepped into her half-brother’s shoes, who died at the age of fifteen.
The Queen’s policy was strongly affected by her religion, which she regarded as the core of truth in the world. METZ describes this as follows: “Marys Politik wurzelt in einem Existenzgrund, nicht in der Pragmatik des Tages“ (60). As Mary was a Catholic, she is nowadays often regarded as the last survivor of a dark and detestable England. But her attitude towards reformation is understandable when you consider the circumstance of her own father establishing Protestantism in England, with the help of which he managed to remarry and repudiate his first wife. This made his daughter Mary a bastard.
As there had not been a female English ruler since Mathilde’s abortive regency in the 12th Century, Mary was supposed to take a husband to help and guide her and to provide for an heir to the throne. Her chosen one – the catholic Philipp of Spain – was not popular among her people and her devotees. But with his help, Mary felt strong enough to assert her policy forcefully: A lot of Protestants, who were heretics in her eyes, were burnt at the stakes. Resistance against her and pressure upon her now strengthened, and when she finally died in 1558, the people celebrated.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the motivation for the research by linking the election of modern female politicians, such as Angela Merkel, to the historical legacy of British queens and the question of gendered leadership traits.
2. Typical Female Properties: This chapter discusses the sociological and biological differences between men and women, focusing on traditional character traits often attributed to genders and how these might relate to governance.
3. British Queens: This main section provides biographical insights and critical reflections on six influential British queens, evaluating their specific policy approaches and personal challenges throughout their reigns.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while women were often historically disadvantaged or expected to prioritize marriage, modern political roles have evolved to a point where gender is no longer the sole determinant of a ruler's effectiveness.
Keywords
British History, Queens, Governance, Gender Roles, Leadership, Political Strategy, Monarchy, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II, Femininity, Political Authority, Peace, Succession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the intersection of gender and political power, asking whether supposedly "typical" female traits lead to better governance compared to the traditional male approach.
Which specific themes are covered in the work?
The primary themes include the historical role of British female rulers, the impact of gendered expectations, the influence of religion on policy, and the evolution of the monarchy's power.
What is the primary research question?
The study asks whether female rulers are inherently better leaders due to properties like empathy and intuition, or if they are simply forced to adapt to male-dominated political structures.
Which methodology is employed in the text?
The author uses a historical and biographical analysis approach to evaluate the reigns of six significant British queens, comparing their specific challenges and outcomes.
What content is discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main body examines the lives and policies of Queen Mary I, Elizabeth I, Mary II, Anne, Victoria, and Elizabeth II, providing both historical facts and analytical reflections for each.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as British Monarchy, Female Rulers, Gender Roles, Political Leadership, and Historical Succession.
How did Queen Elizabeth I use her gender to her advantage?
The paper highlights that Elizabeth I utilized her identity as the "Virgin Queen" to maintain political distance and control over Parliament while remaining an educated and formidable leader.
What does the paper conclude about modern female leadership?
The conclusion suggests that because gender roles and societal expectations have shifted, leadership effectiveness is no longer tied to gender, and the focus should remain on the leader's ability to ensure prosperity and peace.
- Quote paper
- Sabine Jessica Stackmann (Author), 2006, British Queens - Better Rulers?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74726
