Show Notes for S2E11 interview with Catherine Reyes-Housholder, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Political Science within the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

by | Jul 13, 2024 | Geopolitics, Leadership, Politics and Policy

Summary

Catherine Reyes-Housholder, PhD, joins Brian for a conversation about women in positions of political power in Latin America and beyond, particularly their rise to the presidency.

Catherine is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Political Science within the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She is also an Associate Researcher at the university’s multi-disciplinary Center for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies (COES). Catherine earned her PhD in Government from Cornell University in 2017.

In this episode, we explore the different routes women take to win the presidency, such as through major challenger parties or incumbent parties when nominated and endorsed by outgoing leaders. The discussion includes commentary on the diverse political landscape across Latin America, the role of gender quotas in increasing women’s representation, and the challenges faced by women once they achieve leadership positions. Reyes-Housholder highlights the lower approval ratings that women presidents tend to receive compared to their male counterparts and the double standards they face. She also previews upcoming elections to watch in Latin America.

Brian and Catherine talk about the reasons why the United States of America has not yet had a female head of state, including the gendered nature of the American presidency in the eyes of voters, media bias, and the failure of major parties to nominate women.

Catherine also passes along advice for aspiring politicians, particularly women, including maintaining moral integrity, building institutions, and surrounding oneself with a trusted inner circle.

Takeaways

  • Women in Latin America have won the presidency through major challenger parties or incumbent parties.
  • Latin American countries have different political landscapes, with variations in campaign processes and party nominations.
  • Gender quotas have been implemented in some Latin American countries to increase women’s representation in government.
  • Women presidents in Latin America tend to receive lower approval ratings compared to men, and they face double standards.
  • Upcoming elections in Latin America, such as in Chile, are worth watching for potential female candidates. Latin America lacks a unified bloc like the European Union, with Mercosur being the closest regional integration effort.
  • The absence of deep institutional cooperation prevents the emergence of a natural leader like Angela Merkel in Latin America.
  • Brazil and Mexico, as large and diverse countries, have weight and influence in the region.
  • Women leaders in Latin America have not been extensively studied in terms of their foreign policy conduct.
  • The United States has not yet had a female head of state, and the reasons for this include the gendered nature of the presidency, historical associations with masculinity and the military, voter preferences, media bias, and the failure of major parties to nominate women.
  • Latin American countries have been influenced by larger economies like China, especially in terms of trade and vaccine partnerships.
  • The United States’ engagement with Latin America has declined, leading to a shift in preferences for trading partners and models of democracy and economic systems.
  • Advice for aspiring politicians, particularly women, includes maintaining moral integrity, building institutions, and surrounding oneself with a trusted inner circle.
Memorable Sound Bites

  • “My line of research is on how women win the presidency and how they use their presidential power differently from presidents who are men.”
  • “This is the 11th time that a woman has won a presidential election in the region.”
  • “Latin America is the region of the world that’s basically all presidential systems, pure presidential systems, similar to the US.”
  • “Latin America would have united a long time ago and formed something like the European Union.”
  • “We don’t have the European, the deep integration that European Union has in Latin America.”
  • “The presidency is gendered, specifically masculine.”
Notable Segments

  • Introduction and Background
  • Elections in Mexico and the State of Mexican Politics
  • Political Landscape and Party Systems in Latin America
  • Campaign Processes and Party Nominations in Latin America
  • Gender Quotas and Women’s Representation in Latin America
  • Lower Approval Ratings and Double Standards for Women Presidents
  • Brazil and Mexico: Weight and Influence in Latin America
  • The Gendered Nature of the United States Presidency
  • Influence of Larger Economies on Latin American Countries
  • Advice for Aspiring Politicians: Moral Integrity and Institution Building

To learn more about Catherine and her work:

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