An analysis of model women politicians
Kiprah Wanita dalam Dunia Politik (Original Title: Women in Power); Dorothy W. Cantor, Tony Bernay and Jean Stoess; Gramedia, 1998; xx + 414 pp
JAKARTA (JP): Women have played an insignificant political role in Eastern countries. The number of women politicians is very few; you can count them on your fingers. Corazon Aquino of the Philippines and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan are the most well- known names. Why is that? The answer is because males still dominate in terms of social status and political roles.
In the Oriental tradition, women are perceived as second-class citizens. Women's roles are often limited to household affairs, such as taking care of children and serving their husbands. They are perceived as physically weak beings who are controlled by emotions rather than by intellect -- a trait deemed unfit for a politician.
While in the West, according to the book, women have unlimited chances of entering the political jungle. This is thanks to the recognition that men and women have equal rights to participate in all fields. This is based on the belief that just like men, women are able to enlighten the public as well. It is this capacity that the authors of this book see in five women politicians, Pat Schroeder, Nancy Johnson, Evelyn Murphy, Ann Richards and Olympia Snowe.
The three co-authors, Dorothy W. Cantor, Tony Bernay and Jean Stoess see these five figures as model women politicians for both men and women. The authors point out that politicians are subject to internal and external factors making their success possible.
The external factor, as the five exemplary politicians are quoted as saying in the book, is family. Without family support, the woman will not succeed in pursuing her political career. Pat Schroeder is the strongest advocate of this theory. She says her husband, father, mother and relatives, lend their strong backing to her through encouragement and advice (pp 121-172).
The internal factor covers four things. First, a sense of competence, self-confidence and independence. The authors believe that everyone in politics should have this quality in order to be successful. This is important because politics needs trickery, good physical stamina, consistency and a mass base. The "trickery" that the authors mean is the ability to argue using rational logic.
Second, the courage to take risks. Politics, Cantor argues, is a highly risky game. People who are involved in the game should have great courage in facing all challenges, including the risk of failure. The courage to face up to this risk will show whether the politician has integrity.
Third, the willingness to learn political skills and to learn from experience (pp 246, 197). The book says change taking place in all aspects of life, including that of political affairs, occurs fast. This demands that politicians, including women, keep track of and learn from experience. The authors say the five politicians have this ability.
Fourth, the ability to follow personal conscience (p.249), which, the writers say, is important when making a morally based decision. Politicians who turn a deaf ear to conscience will lose orientation on the political stage.
Moreover, politicians should have a clear agenda and sensitivity to others' lives. The five politicians insist that politics is basically a means of fighting for the interests of the general public, not individuals or groups. Therefore such sensitivity and social responsibility is vital (p.365).
The book is a good source of inspiration in politicians' experiences drawn from the political arena. Healthy politics is possible only if state leaders have integrity and sensitivity. The five politicians profiled in the book show that the adage that women's role should be confined within the household sphere is no longer relevant.
This book also provides encouragement for women to pursue a career in politics. It offers a new perception to Indonesians, especially women, about women's rights to participate in politics and become national leaders. Nowadays the chance is wide open.
-- Kasdin Sihotang
The reviewer is a teacher of ethics at Atmajaya Catholic University, Jakarta.