Women Political Leaders in China, Africa, and West Essay

Introduction

Political power as a means of influencing the masses is the force that is considered rigid and uncompromising. Political leaders are usually associated with strong-willed males whose decisions are weighty and balanced. However, in different cultures, there are examples when women held senior leadership positions and performed their tasks successfully. Such cases may be found in tolerant Western states, in indigenous African traditions, and in conservative Eastern countries. The coming of women to power has always been accompanied by circumstances that caused widespread public outcry, but in general, the success of many female political leaders is objective and undeniable.

Women Political Leaders in China

Since the continuity of power in Eastern countries is a significant political aspect, there are examples of the marital transfer of authority. As Kristof¹ argues, Jiang Qing, the widow of Mao Zedong, began her political activities during the life of her great husband who provided her with little support. Nevertheless, the woman managed to become a powerful political figure on her own. Another example is Deng Yingchao, one of the most ardent revolutionary fighters. According to Reuters,² her communist views supported by her famous husband Chou En-lai became the basis for the formation of a resistance movement to capitalist elites.

Thus, one can note that in China, women achieved political success, and their husbands’ careers contributed to this. The example of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, which Faison³ mentions, is proof of how her family’s financial background allowed her to become an active participant in the nationalist-communist struggle. Moreover, many of these women, for instance, Soong Ching-ling, had a long life and, according to Barbanel,⁴ supported an active revolutionary position. Therefore, the continuity of power in China may be considered one of the drivers of women’s participation in politics.

Women Political Leaders in Western Cultures

In Western cultures, women began to take an active part in political life from the mid-19th century. As Buhle, Murphy, and Gerhard⁵ state, they started to call for respect for their rights and demanded equal opportunities. According to Doran,⁶ one of the most influential and successful female monarchs is considered Elizabeth I who, despite the discontent of some, managed to achieve prosperity for Great Britain.

Women Political Leaders in Africa

Even in indigenous African tribes, today, women-led communities exist and sometimes even prosper. Bell⁷ notes that in some villages, this is the norm, and although protests and controversies have occurred earlier, women in power is a common phenomenon. This proves that even despite the traditional patriarchal principle of continuity, women leaders can be successful politicians, which speaks of democracy and a modern view of politics.

Conclusion

Women’s success in politics is not unique, but in the context of history, their powers were sometimes accompanied by disputes and discontent. The examples of the continuity of power prove that family ties are crucial in creating a positive image of a leader. In both conservative and modern tolerant states, women can have the right to lead political groups and take an active part in public life.

Bibliography

1. Nicholas D. Kristof, “Suicide of Jiang Qing, Mao’s Widow, Is Reported”The New York Times, 1991. Web.
2. Reuters, “Deng Yingchao, a Party Leader And Widow of Zhou, Dies at 88”The New York Times, 1992. Web.
3. Seth Faison, “Madame Chiang, 105, Chinese Leader’s Widow, Dies”The New York Times, 2003. Web.
4. Barbanel, Josh. “Soon Ching-Ling Dies in Peking; Widow of Sun Yat-Sen Was 90”The New York Times, 1981. Web.
5. Mari Jo Buhle, Teresa Murphy, and Jane Gerhard, A Concise Women’s History (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2015), 204.
6. Susan Doran, “Elizabeth I: Gender, Power and Politics,” History Today 53, no. 5 (2003): 31.
7. Claire L. Bell, “South Africa’s Female Tribal Chiefs Often Rule in Fear”Time, 2010. Web.