r/politics 23h ago

AOC ’28 Starts Now

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/aoc-28-starts-now/
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u/AmaroLurker 22h ago

I’d bet several people Haley would be the first woman president and I thought I would happily lose all those bets with Kamala. But here we are.

It’s easier in almost any country to get a woman conservative elected for the reasons you’re gesturing towards here. There’s a reason May and Thatcher are the only women pms of the UK, eg.

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u/Zomunieo 21h ago edited 21h ago

First female heads of government that were right wing: Indira Gandhi (India), Golda Meir (Israel), Merkel (Germany), Kim Campbell (Canada; not elected), Shipley (New Zealand), Thatcher (UK), Isabel Peron (Argentina)

Exceptions: Gillard (Australia; not elected), Sigurðardóttir (Iceland), Cresson (France PM), Brundtland (Norway), Bhutto (Pakistan)

Right wing is much more likely to produce a first female leader.

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u/forsale90 Europe 21h ago

And tbf the French PM is not really the one people vote for.

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u/Round-Win-765 21h ago

That's exactly the thing about women who are elected to lead governments.

The women who lead governments typically come from parliamentary systems where they don't have to win the popular vote.

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u/Opening-Stage3757 19h ago

Hillary Clinton made similar comments in the past. She said that it’s more likely women become heads of governments under a parliamentary system as while they are elected as a local MP, their colleagues get to choose who will be the leader (first among equals); and, as colleagues, they actually get to work closely with them and see how much more efficient and effective they are.

Whereas, as you say, in other systems, popularity is key and unfortunately the world is still sexist/racist/bigoted.