Maglana: Strongman rule and strong women

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was among those featured by TIME Magazine in its May 2017 issue on the rise of strongmen. Going by commentaries on social media, a number of his supporters actually thought it was positive coverage. But it is not clear whether their assessment comes from an informed understanding of the strongman concept or is a mistaken take on another description—that of the strong leader.

In the run-up to the 2016 election, sociologist Randy David wrote about four models of political leadership in his Public Lives column: patron, strongman, caregiver, and manager.

His description of the strongman included a “no-nonsense, tough-talking demeanor” and a complex if perverted view of paternalism that has the strongman invested in the wellbeing of his people but, coupled with a honed sense of personal power and the conviction that fear instills discipline and order, also makes him heavy-handed in meting out punishment.

Another model, the patron, is also paternalistic. The patron perceives himself as the ultimate benefactor and treats government as a kingdom that can be parceled out to supporters and friends and bequeathed to family members.

To observers, many indicators in the country today could be associated with strongman and patron rule; among them, personal visits to hospitalized soldiers and references to “my soldiers,” near-arbitrary dismissal of appointees perceived of wrongdoings but who go scot-free in the absence of filed charges, and a wish made publicly that a grandson would become mayor of Davao one day.

But it is the pronounced tendencies for misogyny harbored by the strongman and patron that I wish to explore, although the caregiver and manager types are not untarnished by the poison brought about by systematic hatred of women.

Philosopher Kate Manne describes misogyny as the “law enforcement branch” of the patriarchy that rewards or punishes women to compel conformity with expectations on relating to men and their fellow women. Misogyny goes beyond run-of-the-mill sexism.

Misogyny has also been described by neuroscientist Berit Brogaard as an “unconscious hatred that men form early in life, often as a result of a trauma involving a female figure they trusted. An abusive or negligent mother, sister, teacher or girlfriend can plant a seed deep down in their brain’s subcortical matter.” This definition resonates with those who seek an explanation at a more individual and personal level for the high degree and consistent display of women-denigrating behaviors in our government.

The most recent incident involves the President’s statement about integrity and the next Ombudsman who, to his mind, should not be a politician, “especially not a woman.” This consequently raised furor highlighted by the #BabaeAko campaign.

The President’s subsequent response only underscored his outdated views about gender roles, that women are incapable of handling threats and intimidation but men have been socialized by getting into fights. Yet, how many high-profile women have been threatened and intimidated in and by this administration?

Apologists tried to dismiss the #BabaeAko campaign and again excuse the President’s behavior by saying that he loves women to a fault and the Davao Women’s Code had been enacted under his watch.

But misogynists can resort to charming behavior to undermine, manipulate, and control women; and “loving too much” has been used to rationalize violence against women.

Misogynists and their enablers are also not above taking credit for women’s achievements. Those who have been involved in the crafting of the Davao Women’s Code attest to women’s leadership and persistence in both substance and process aspects. Signing a local legislation and generally not getting in the way of its implementation but flaunting behaviors that show that women are mainly objects of sexual desire to which no emotional loyalty are owed hardly constitute championing women concerns.

“Bad women” will bear the brunt of the misogynist’s anger. They are “bad” because they do not pander and conform to expectations. For the strongman, they are “bad” not because they are strong but because they dare manifest their strength by opposing him—they dare question and embarrass him, criticize his objectification of women, and stand in the way of his will and total control of power.

Spinmeisters are reducing the #BabaeAko” campaign to a stereotype, a publicity stunt, and even plain politicking.

Women, and men who would have no role in the perpetuation of hate against women, will have to be strong in asserting that it is a growing, broad, and effective assertion against misogyny and strongman rule.

Email feedback to magszmaglana@gmail.com

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