Women Leaders - Term Paper Example

Over the years, women have always occupied leadership positions, and some of them have been successful, and some have not. Examples of successful female leaders are, Catherine the Great, a Russian Monarch, and Queen Elizabeth, an English Monarch. However, in the current times, monarchs are not engaged in actively ruling their subjects, but they are symbols of state unity and authority, but not of governance. The Germans are led by a female leader, that is Chancellor Merkell, and the same happens in Argentina, and Brazil. For instance in Brazil and Germany, the leadership of President Rouseff, and Chancellor Merkell has seen these two countries emerge as some of the world best economies (Paludi & Coates, 2011). For instance, Germany, because of proper leadership is experiencing a high rate of growth, and it is considered as the biggest economy in Europe. Brazil on the other hand is one of the emerging economies in the world, and it is part of the BRICS nations. However, not all female leaders are successful, and an example is President Arroyo of the Philippines, who has been accused of corruption, and poor governance in her country. Through her leadership, Philippines has been considered as one of the poor countries in East Asia. However, this is changing because of the politics that is now being dominated by men. This paper provides an analysis on the impact of a world that is dominated by female leaders. This paper takes a stand that the dominance of female leaders in the global sphere, would not make a difference, when compared to the leadership of men. The impact of female leaders in the world would be determined by the perceptions and attitudes that people have towards women. On a historical perspective, women have been marginalized, and some of their rights breached (Klenke, 1996). Take for instance in Confucius China, women were treated as Second Class citizens, and denied the rights that were enjoyed by men. Despite the male dominated culture of China and Asia, one of the most celebrated and influential female Asian leader was Wu Chao. Wu Chao was the only woman who directly ruled the male dominated political system of China. Her leadership in China, was considered brutal, and also a success. This is basically because she was able to kill all her male opponents, and any person who was against her rule. This specifically applied to the members of the her husband’s family house hold who accused her of killing her son, the Crown Prince of China, in her bid to usurp the throne. However, in a bid to improve the economy and public performance of China, Wu Chao introduced a series of measures and policies for the benefit of her country (Oconnor, 2010). This includes the introduction of public rating system, and examination system that advocated for merit for any individual wishing to serve the country, or to work for the Chinese government. By closely looking at this fact, it is possible to denote a world that is dominated by female leaders would most definitely seek to promote meritocracy, in the appointments in the public sector, and other areas of governance. This is better depicted in the reforms of Wu Chao, during the Tang dynasty. However, this is disputed, based on the notion that it is women rights groups that normally seek for the adoption of the affirmative action, which is a principle that is against the concepts of meritocracy. This is because affirmative action advocates for the representation of a woman in a particular leadership position or employment, just because of their gender, with little consideration on their qualifications. In fact, currently, more than 10 countries in Europe have established a quota that is preserved for women, so that they may assume or take those positions (Eagly & Carli, 2007). This concept of affirmative action has not gained any popularity in United States, mostly because it is viewed as anti-meritocracy. This is because the American society values merit, as opposed to the use of favouritism in public and leadership appointments. In fact, there are few women in United States, Asia, Europe and Africa who have excelled because of Merit. An example is Joyce Banda, the President of Malawi, who managed to win an election and become the President of Malawi, in a political environment that was dominated by men. Through her leadership, Malawi has experienced some elements of growth, and it has managed to achieve extensive growth in agriculture, making it one of the few countries that has managed to feed its people in Sub Saharan Africa. Hillary Clinton is another female leader, who has managed to achieve a high political office through merit, even though, she initially used the influence of her husband (Belasen, 2012). As a female leader, Hillary Clinton has been inspirational, and she has acted as a role model to very many women in the world. This has an impact, in the sense that women would start working hard in school, just with the purpose of becoming like Hillary Clinton (Ball, 2004). This type of motivation is useful, because it would promote the emergence of the girl child education in the world. This is because many men would start taking their girls to school, and this is for purposes of ensuring that they become like Hillary Clinton. Therefore, a world that is dominated by female leaders would help in promoting the education of the girl child in the world (Rhode, 2003). Furthermore, a world that is dominated by female leaders would ensure that women also ascend to some important leadership position in the world. This is because they would not discriminate against women in the policies that they make. It is important to explain that women leaders would try to change the cultural beliefs that are against women. Such cultural notions include the subordinate position of women, in the society, as advocated by the Confucius teachings during the periods of Wu Chao, the female empress of China. Wu Chao, in her bid to consolidate her throne, she was forced to kill male people who were opposed to her regime, and she sought to introduce changes that were more feminine, promoting the position of women in the Confucius China (Ball, 2004). The same would occur in the international system that is dominated by female leaders. Another argument, is based on the fact that female would promote good governance in the institutions that they are leading. There is a perception that female leaders are humble, and considerate, and they love governing in a manner that is transparent and efficient. An example is Angel Merkell, the Chancellor of Germany who has managed to transform the German economy, into a leading economy in Europe. Chancellor Merkell has not only managed to transform the economy of Germany, but she is also playing a leading role in the transformation of the economy of Europe, and promoting good governance, democracy, and political transparency in Europe. An example includes the role that she is playing in solving the political crisis in Ukraine, and the role she played in solving the economic crisis in Greece. For instance in solving the political crisis in Ukraine, Chancellor Merkell has used both a diplomatic channel, and a non diplomatic channel in pressuring Russia to stop its military incursions in Ukraine (Belasen, 2012). For instance, she has directly negotiated with President Putin, in a bid to convince him to stop interfering in the Ukrainian political crisis. She achieved success in getting a ceasefire, in the crisis, thus moving a step in solving the crisis. As the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has also played a role in the negotiation of several conflicts in Europe, Asia and Africa, and this includes the humanitarian intervention in Libya, where United States intervened for purpose of preventing President Gadaffi from killing his own people. This is an indication that female leaders can play a role in promoting good governance and democracy. However, this is not the case, and it depends on the political system that these leaders are leading (Belasen, 2012). An example is President Arroyo, who managed to promote corruption in the Philippines, basically because of poor governance. It is therefore prudent to denote that it is the structures of power and institutions of government that would play a role in determining whether a female leader would govern efficiently and effectively or not. For example, a country such as United States is known as a democratic country, and it has strong institutions of power. This makes it possible for female leaders such as Secretary Clinton to govern efficiently and effectively. In the Philippines, the institutions of governance were weak; hence it was easy to manipulate them for purposes of serving the needs of a leader. In conclusion, if the world was dominated by women leaders, there would be no difference, when compared to the world that is dominated by male leaders. This is because women would seek to advance their interests, and the interests of the countries that they are leading. However, the only change that would occur is the promotion of values whose aim is to benefit the position of women within the society. Bibliography: Top of Form BALL, H. (2004). Great women leaders. Toronto, Second Story Press. Bottom of Form Top of Form BELASEN, A. T. (2012). Developing women leaders in corporate America: balancing competing demands, transcending traditional boundaries. Santa Barbara, Calif, Praeger. Bottom of Form Top of Form EAGLY, A. H., & CARLI, L. L. (2007). Through the labyrinth: the truth about how women become leaders. Boston, Mass, Harvard Business School Press. Top of Form KLENKE, K. (1996). Women and leadership a contextual perspective. New York, Springer Pub. Co. Top of Form OCONNOR, K. (2010). Gender and womens leadership: a reference handbook. Thousand Oaks, Calif, SAGE Reference. Bottom of Form Top of Form PALUDI, M. A., & COATES, B. E. (2011). Women as transformational leaders: from grassroots to global interests. Santa Barbara, Calif, Praeger. Top of Form RHODE, D. L. (2003). The difference difference makes: women and leadership. Stanford, Calif, Stanford University Press. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More