Francis Fukuyama: Women and the Evolution of Politics - Essay Example

Critique Francis Fukuyama: “Women and the Evolution of Politics.” Synopsis. Thesis. In his essay, “Women and the Evolution of Politics,” Francis Fukuyama posits that aggression and politics are genetically rooted in the male, and argues that a world run by women would be more peaceful than one ruled by men. Outline. Violence and politics are predominantly male characteristics and are rooted in genetics. Violence is largely perpetrated by men. Violence is not a product of culture but of biology. A world ruled by women would therefore be more peaceful than one ruled by men Women are gaining power in Western societies. Societies ruled by women will be less aggressive. However, men will continue to play a dominant role. Increased female participation in international politics will make democracies less military-power oriented. As gender roles are rooted in genetics, male aggression cannot be eliminated. Feminized policies will be a liability in a world where male aggression persists. Gender segregation is necessary in the military. Unit cohesion is founded on male bonding. Competition for females can undermine unity. Social systems can mitigate genetic aggression. The desire for dominance can be channelized into peaceful and productive activity. Connections. Fukuyama’s article does not demonstrate any connection to the environment. The article rejects the theory that violent and aggressive patriarchies are rooted in culture. Social constructivism and cultural relativism, which attributed differences in human groups to culture, are overruled by modern anthropology. Gender roles are not socially constructed, but are genetically rooted. There are limits to which human behavior can be shaped by social systems. Fukuyama’s article is largely addressed to politics. International politics is linked to male aggression. Increased female political participation will take a more conciliatory and cooperative approach. This feminization of politics will cause a shift away from the status and military power orientation of international politics. Democracies tend to be more feminized and less aggressive. This can pose a danger in politics where male-dominated aggression persists in other states. Changes in international politics will be limited by genetically rooted gender roles. The article addresses development from the perspective of demographic trends. The fall in fertility rates across the developed world will lead to the graying of population in these states. In addition to social security liability, elderly women will emerge as an important voting block and increasingly occupy positions of power. This will presumably lower tolerance of military casualties. In contrast, the developing world will boast of a younger, male-dominated population. Critique. Fukuyama’s contention that “humans are hardwired to act in certain predictable ways” (1998, 30), and that the differences between the sexes is rooted in genetics, is definitely based on contemporary biological evidence. It is also generally accepted that violence and aggression are predominantly male characteristics. Studies of the human genome, and the identification of genes for various traits, support Fukuyama’s assertion that “there are profound differences between the sexes that are genetically rather than culturally rooted, and that these differences extend beyond the body into the realm of the mind.” (1998, 30) However, it cannot be unequivocally accepted that aggression and violence are completely the result of genes. Fukuyama himself concedes that “culture also shapes behavior in countless critical ways and can often overwhelm genetic predispositions” (1998, 31). When the assertiveness and dominance of women in different parts of the world is considered, it is clear that several social and cultural variables, such as religion and education, are as significant as biological factors. Fukuyama gives genetic roots unjustified significance, at the cost of cultural and social factors. There is no doubt that female participation in international politics is increasing drastically all over the world and that democracies are relatively more pacific than other forms of government. However, it must be remembered that men are the major constituents of these same democracies. Therefore it is obvious that the other factors cited – “the rule of law, respect for individual rights, the commercial nature of most democracies” (Fukuyama, 1998, 35) are more significant than genetic differences between genders. In this context, it cannot be definitely assumed that a world run by women would be “more conciliatory and cooperative” (Fukuyama, 1998, 33) than the prevailing political atmosphere. A nation’s geopolitical interest will always be the deciding factor in international politics, regardless of whether the political leadership is male or female. Finally, Fukuyama’s assertion that “The core of the feminist agenda for international politics” is the control of “the violent and aggressive tendencies of men” (1998, 34) is not supported by any evidence. He has not cited any major research or study which validates his claim. Likewise, he summarily dismisses the need to know the reason for the correlation between gender and antimilitarism. Reflection. Fukuyama’s article deals with the change which the increased participation of women in international politics will bring about. There is no doubt that world politics will be irrevocably changed by women. However, “a truly matriarchal world” (Fukuyama, 1998, 33) is far from possible in the foreseeable future. The possibility of a world in which women dominate with an agenda of cooperation and conciliation is remote indeed. This would only come about if men are banned from political participation! Even when women increasingly assume positions of political leadership, international law supersedes national sovereignty, and no major change in international politics can be made by women. Any consensus must include men. Fukuyama’s contention that innate male aggression and desire for dominance can be channeled into productive activity, and that the aggressive tendencies of young males can be controlled, raises disturbing questions in this period of economic recession: Will the inability of the economy to generate employment for young men lead to a spiral of aggression and violence? In this context, it is clear that the political establishment should give priority to the creation of jobs for youth. The proven tendency of women to be conciliators is sufficient reason for the intensification of international efforts to promote the education of women and to create a favorable political environment for women of developing nations to participate in politics. Only when female political participation extends to all parts of the world, and is no longer confined to a few industrially developed Western nations, can feminine contribution truly make an impact on international politics. References. Fukuyama, Francis. 1998. “Women and the Evolution of Politics.” Foreign Affairs September/ October. Volume 77 No. 5. 24 – 40. Read More