University of Bath study warns of rise of ‘new chauvinism’ fueled by right-wing populism
Research shows ‘new chauvinism’ characterized by softer, more subtle language
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
New research from the University of Bath has identified a ‘new chauvinism’, fuelled by a resurgence in right-wing populism, and distinguished by the use of softer, more subtle language than traditional chauvinism.
The study focused on language and attitudes in software development, a profession known for perpetuating chauvinistic language. It warns organizations that what it called ‘new chauvinism’ may open doors to neo-conservatism and foment discriminatory practices at odds with companies’ stated values.
“‘New chauvinism’ is practised in subtly different ways from old chauvinism. On-line misogynists, such as Andrew Tate, may use overtly misogynistic, hate-filled language that was familiar to our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, but our research suggests that new chauvinists generally use much softer, more subtle, less direct language,” said Professor Nancy Harding of the University of Bath School of Management.
Professor Harding led a team of researchers who interviewed men and women in the software development industry, where globally almost 92% of the workforce are male, with numerous studies identifying the profession’s misogynistic culture for the low female participation rates. Harding’s team focused on the language and attitudes used by male developers and the experiences of female developers.
“Old chauvinism lobbed verbal bombs at women, telling them where women belonged – women and many men came to recognise these statements for what they were and could fight against them. However, new chauvinism fires fusillades of little chauvinistic arrows, from a quiver full of insults that are sometimes so subtle they are barely consciously registered as misogynistic,” she said.
Amongst a host of examples, researchers found a ‘curious resistance’ from many men to even contemplating the notion of a female software engineer, while some women reported hearing ‘I didn’t know that a woman could do this job’, and talked of a persistent ‘them and us’ culture, painting women as permanent outsiders. One man said, ‘It’s really hard for a woman to be feminine and a good developer at the same time. Some people just don’t get it’.
Professor Harding said the software development profession was not necessarily more receptive to right-wing politics than other professions but its misogynistic practices, like those hidden behind closed doors in other organizations, could offer a sympathetic point of entry into organizations by political actors.
She said neoconservatism, flourishing in an era of global insecurity, anxiety and gross inequalities, was a particular concern, resurrecting language and attitudes that became taboo over the decades-long fight for women’s rights.
“Neoconservatism breaks those taboos by reintroducing into circulation and normalising language, if not practices, whose elimination had been hard fought for. Their language may not contain explicit chauvinistic statements but its chauvinism is identifiable by indirect, elusive inferences.
For example, the study notes that UK National Conservatism’s 2023 conference saw UK Member of Parliament Miriam Cates urge women to have more children to tackle an ‘existential threat’ from falling population levels. Echoing policies espoused by Hungarian and Italian populist heads of state, Cates argued that spending money on women’s education militated against their role as child-bearers. This, implies but does not openly state that women ‘belong in the kitchen”.
Professor Harding said her team’s study showed women often struggled to find immediate ripostes to this less overt sexism, that there was a need to build awareness of the dangers of this more subtle form of chauvinism and to equip women with the language and phrases to disarm it quickly.
“For example, one aspect of chauvinising is the absorption of insults into our self-understanding. If women are told often enough that they have a natural predilection for care rather than action, they may come to feel guilty if they do not prioritise care over action. To which the response might be, isn’t it amazing how we can do care work as part of all the other things we do?” she said
Professor Harding said the research showed humour may be a useful weapon in the fight against ‘new chauvinism’.
“Famously, see the response on Twitter/X to Andrew Tate’s announcement that he would not sleep with any women who had had the Covid-19 vaccination: ‘Hooray’, someone responded, ‘the vaccine works’.
The study – ‘Organizations, Neoconservatism and New Chauvinism: Organizational receptivity to ring-wing political strategies – can be read in full here.
ENDS/
Notes to editors
- For more information contact the University of Bath Press office at press@bath.ac.uk
The University of Bath
The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities for high-impact research with a reputation for excellence in education, student experience and graduate prospects.
We are named ‘University of the Year’ in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, and ranked among the world’s top 10% of universities, placing 148th in the QS World University Rankings 2024. We are ranked 5th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2024, 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2024 and 8th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Bath is rated in the world’s top 10 universities for sport in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2023. We produce some of the world’s most job-ready graduates and were named University of the Year for Graduate Jobs by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024, as well as ranking as one of the world’s top 90 universities for employer reputation according to the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Research from Bath is helping to change the world for the better. Across the University’s three Faculties and School of Management, our research is making an impact in society, leading to low-carbon living, positive digital futures, and improved health and wellbeing. Find out all about our Research with Impact: www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/research-with-impact/
JOURNAL
Organization Studies
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Observational study
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
People
ARTICLE TITLE
Organizations, Neoconservativism and New Chauvinism: Organizational receptivity to right-wing political populism
No comments:
Post a Comment