Mature age, women’s solidarity and a broad coalition are the keys to a woman’s success in politics, says Frans de Vaal, lead researcher at the Yerk National Primate Research Center (USA).
Mature age, women’s solidarity and a broad coalition are the keys to a woman’s success in politics, says Frans de Vaal, lead researcher at the Yerk National Primate Research Center (USA). After many years of observing alpha females (that is, the leaders in the group) of great apes, he identified three mechanisms that, in his opinion, also operate in human society. Firstly, those who are more experienced and have already reached the reproductive age (which is confirmed by the examples of Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel …) have an advantage. Secondly, the «alpha» is always supported by representatives of her gender (therefore, a female leader should speak out for solving women’s problems, but not provoke thoughts of sexual rivalry). And finally, a female leader builds bridges, finds allies and communicates with rivals, although this is more difficult for her than for a man, because women remember grievances longer.