The study of leadership is one that encompasses both psychology and sociology and has been a popular research area for decades.
Less attention has been given to how leaders are viewed in terms of their sexuality. This paper explores the relationship between leaders and power dynamics, particularly those related to gender roles and sexual behavior. It examines how these ideas influence the way people view themselves and others within organizational settings and what implications they have on society at large. Specifically, this work looks into how collective fantasies about leadership shape the sexualized narratives attached to political figures. In order to do so, it will analyze relevant literature from various fields including psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, and communication studies.
The word "fantasy" refers to an imaginative creation or mental image that does not exist objectively but may be based on real events. People often engage in fantasies as a form of escapism or entertainment, but they also do so to explore different aspects of reality. Fantasies can vary widely depending on individual preferences, culture, religion, age, etc., but they all involve some level of daydreaming or storytelling. Collective fantasies refer to shared visions or beliefs held by members of a group regarding particular topics such as politics, economics, or social issues (Wolf & Sullivan, 2019). These fantasies often take on a life of their own and become entrenched in everyday discourse and practices. They can be powerful drivers of attitudes and behaviors among groups of individuals who share them (Bakan, 2006). The concept of leader is similarly complex, with many definitions across cultures and historical periods.
Most agree that leaders are individuals who hold positions of authority over others due to their ability to inspire confidence, vision, and action (Bass, 2008). Leaders may possess certain traits such as charisma, intelligence, honesty, integrity, and ambition, which make them successful at achieving goals within organizations or communities (Morgeson et al., 2007).
One way collective fantasies about leadership shape sexualized narratives attached to political figures is through the stereotypical images associated with power. Research has shown that masculine traits such as strength, dominance, assertiveness, and aggression are highly valued in male leaders (Eagly & Carli, 2003), while feminine qualities like nurturance and warmth are more accepted for women in positions of authority (Hoyt, 2004). This means that men tend to be seen as strong leaders who get things done, whereas women must balance between being tough enough not to appear weak but also compassionate enough to relate to subordinates. As a result, female politicians face additional challenges when trying to build trust among constituents because they often have to navigate this tricky line between appearing too soft or too hard-edged (Kaufman & Baumeister, 1995).
There is evidence that people use their own experiences with parental figures to form judgments about current leaders based on whether those parents were authoritative or permissive (Porath & Banks, 2007).
If someone grew up with an authoritarian father figure, they may view modern presidential candidates who emphasize personal freedom and self-determination negatively since it conflicts with what they knew growing up.
Research indicates that gender plays a role in perceptions of leadership effectiveness; males generally outperform females at leading groups in traditional settings due to social norms regarding gender roles within organizations (Dipboye et al., 1998).
Collective fantasies about leadership shape the sexualized narratives attached to political figures by creating stereotypes about what makes an effective leader based on gender roles and parenting styles. These ideas influence how people perceive themselves within organizational settings and society more broadly. Further research should explore how these dynamics play out across different cultures and time periods.
How do collective fantasies about leadership shape the sexualized narratives attached to political figures?
Collective fantasies about leadership are often constructed around powerful archetypes of masculinity that are deeply embedded within cultural beliefs about what makes an effective leader. These narratives tend to be highly gendered, and they are often informed by traditional ideals of male dominance, strength, and authority. This can have significant impacts on how we perceive politicians and public figures who are seen as leaders, particularly when it comes to their sexuality.