Faculty Sponsor(s)
Dawn Nowacki, Patrick Cottrell, and Nicholas Buccola
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Political Science
Description
This qualitative study of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany implements a most different systems design (MDSD) as the basis for its comparative analysis. A cross-examination of Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s personal backgrounds, their leadership styles in their political careers before they became the heads of their governments, and their level of political participation in democracy or liberalization movements prior to their rise to power is conducted in this study. Key strands of feminist approaches in IR, such as liberal feminism, difference feminism, and postmodern feminism add to this study’s discourse on Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s rise to political power. The basis for this study is that women comprise an underrepresented minority in the field of politics worldwide. As women in political leadership is more prevalent in times of crisis around the world, it is exceedingly important to understand the conditions under which women political leaders may attain their country’s highest political office. More so, this study identifies some key similar conditions from which Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf overcame gendered obstacles in politics to reach their country’s highest political offices.
Recommended Citation
Escalera Gonzalez, Maria Raquel J., "Conditions Pertinent for Overcoming Gender Inequality in Political Leadership: A Comparative Analysis of Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf" (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 60.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/60
Conditions Pertinent for Overcoming Gender Inequality in Political Leadership: A Comparative Analysis of Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
This qualitative study of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany implements a most different systems design (MDSD) as the basis for its comparative analysis. A cross-examination of Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s personal backgrounds, their leadership styles in their political careers before they became the heads of their governments, and their level of political participation in democracy or liberalization movements prior to their rise to power is conducted in this study. Key strands of feminist approaches in IR, such as liberal feminism, difference feminism, and postmodern feminism add to this study’s discourse on Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s rise to political power. The basis for this study is that women comprise an underrepresented minority in the field of politics worldwide. As women in political leadership is more prevalent in times of crisis around the world, it is exceedingly important to understand the conditions under which women political leaders may attain their country’s highest political office. More so, this study identifies some key similar conditions from which Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf overcame gendered obstacles in politics to reach their country’s highest political offices.
