Governing Codes Gender, Metaphor, and Political Identity

by Anderson, Karrin Vasby; Sheeler, Kristina Horn

• ISBN13: 9780739111994
• ISBN10: 073911199X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-29
• Publisher: Lexington Books

Summary

Governing Codes examines the political identity of four contemporary U.S. political figures Democrats Ann Richards and Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republicans Christine Todd Whitman and Elizabeth Dole illustrating how metaphor plays a central role in the construction of public identity in U.S. politics. Anderson and Sheeler analyze how familiar narratives and stereotypes about women and power often govern media portrayals of public women, containing and constraining them, but also how these women mine the metaphorical landscape for rhetorical strategies they can use to accomplish their pragmatic goals.

Author Biography

Kristina Horn Sheeler is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Preface	xi
Introduction: The Role of Language in Politics	1	(10)
Gender, Metaphor, and Political Identity	11	(34)
Ann Richards	45	(36)
Christine Todd Whitman	81	(36)
Hillary Rodham Clinton	117	(44)
Elizabeth Dole	161	(28)
Conclusion: Cracking the Governing Codes	189	(12)
Bibliography	201	(36)
Index	237	(6)
About the Authors	243

Excerpts

"Familiar narratives and simplistic stereotypes frame the representation of women in U.S. politics. Pervasive containment rhetorics - such as the distinction between women as mothers and caregivers and men as rational thinkers - create unique hurdles for any woman seeking public office. While these "governing codes" generally act to constrain female political power, they can also be harnessed as a resource, depending on the particular circumstances (e.g., party affiliation, geographic location, and personal style). One of these governing codes - the metaphor - is an especially powerful tool in politics today, particularly for women. By examining the political careers of four of the most prominent and influential women in contemporary U.S. politics - Democrats Ann Richards and Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republicans Christine Todd Whitman and Elizabeth Dole - Governing Codes illustrates how metaphors in public discourse may be both familiar narratives to embrace and boundaries to overturn."--BOOK JACKET.