This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Friday, May 26, 2006 12:00 AM

When women rule

Author takes up Francis Fukuyama's question of whether "feminized" democracies can compete on the global stage.

Read other letters about this article

  • Friday, May 26, 2006 11:11 AM

    Did Queen Victoria bring a civilizing influence?

    She certainly brought a stabilizing influence, especially given the length of her reign. Perhaps it was this stability that provided an environment where a more civil society could develop. Under her reign, reform movements in England started to ameliorate some of the excesses of the Industral Revolution; it also saw a certain amount of political reform. Victoria's promotion of family and morality could also be considered a civilizing influence (it was certainly quite a change from some of her predecessors!), especially since these values were put into practice and spread by the emerging middle class.

    But ask the Zulus whether Victoria's "civilizing" influence was really such a good thing. And the Boers. And the Ashantis. And the Afghans. And the Indians. And the Russians. And the Chinese. And the Egyptians. And the Sudanese. Being civilized by the sword and the flame is anything but.

    In any case, what civilizing influence Victoria might have had was due to her actions and influence as a monarch, not her gender. I don't buy into this mystical theory of female virtue. For one thing, it can be turned against women to make us into "angels in the house" who are too virtuous and delicate for the rough and tumble of public life (thereby removing us from it). Women are flawed humans, with the potential for good and bad that is inherent in any being that can exercise free will.

    What including women in the halls of power does bring is a different set of perspectives and experience to the table. It's this diversity of thought that can prove advantageous -- if it's used! Being able to see more than one side of an issue can lead to better decision-making in just about any context. Also, a society that allows all of its members to participate and develop their skills and ambitions has a much deeper talent pool to draw on than one that arbitrarily excludes certain groups. (And this doesn't just apply to women; insert the name of your favorite marginalized group here.)

    By the way, I enjoy wargaming and board gaming and know a number of other women who do, too. But it's true that we're a small minority in this subculture. (I am not exactly sure what this has to do with women ruling the world, but since someone brought it up I figured I'd reply.)

Most Active Letters Threads

678

Obama's exceedingly familiar justifications for escalation

The "new" approach to Afghanistan touted by White House officials seems quite old
543

The crazy, irrational beliefs of Muslims

Tom Friedman explains the real problem: stupid Muslims think the U.S. is about war and aggression.
440

The face of rotted Washington

Evan Bayh demands more debt-financed war - fought by others - while boasting that he's a stern "deficit hawk."
240

The commendably missing element from Obama's speech

There was no pretense that human rights is our goal, or the likely outcome, in escalating the war
233

Yes, it's Obama's war now

An uninspiring speech sells a dubious policy, but progressives who feel betrayed have only themselves to blame

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon