Purity-based sexual ideologies are deeply rooted in religious beliefs that define acceptable behavior in terms of adherence to certain moral codes related to sex. These codes may include prohibitions against premarital sex, extramarital affairs, homosexuality, transgenderism, and other behaviors deemed immoral. Purity-based sexual ideologies are often used to justify authoritarian governance because they serve as a means of control, division, and social oppression. Societies that experience periods of instability are particularly vulnerable to such ideologies because they seek stability and order, which can be provided through strict enforcement of purity norms.
During the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the late 1970s, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's regime promoted strict Islamic laws regarding dress, personal appearance, public conduct, and sexuality, including mandatory hijab for women and harsh punishments for those who violated them. This was seen as a way to reestablish traditional values and restore order after years of political turmoil. Similarly, Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s involved strict controls on sexual expression, which were justified by Mao's Marxist ideology that emphasized the importance of revolutionary morality and social harmony. In both cases, purity-based sexual ideologies served as a tool for maintaining power and authority over society.
In addition to promoting social cohesion, purity-based sexual ideologies also play a role in legitimizing political elites. By associating themselves with moral righteousness and virtue, leaders can claim a higher status than their opponents and consolidate support among their followers.
Many dictators have sought to portray themselves as defenders of traditional family values and cultural traditions, using religious or ethnic symbols as a source of national identity. This has been especially true in countries where political power is often associated with religion or ethnicity, such as Egypt under Hosni Mubarak, Syria under Bashar al-Assad, and Saudi Arabia under Mohammed bin Salman.
Purity-based sexual ideologies are used to promote xenophobia and exclusion, creating divisions between insiders and outsiders based on perceived differences in sexual behavior or belief systems.
Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia has promoted conservative values that emphasize traditional gender roles and the superiority of Russian culture, while cracking down on LGBTQ+ rights and criminalizing "propaganda" that challenges these norms. Similarly, Viktor Orbán's government in Hungary has sought to control women's reproductive choices and restrict access to abortion, arguing that it will preserve the country's Christian heritage and population growth. These narratives serve to create an "us vs. them" mentality that reinforces nationalist sentiments and justifies discrimination against minorities.
Purity-based sexual ideologies play a crucial role in supporting authoritarian governance by providing a sense of order, legitimacy, and social cohesion during periods of instability. By promoting conformity and rigid norms around sex and relationships, leaders can maintain control over society and consolidate their authority, even at the expense of individual freedoms and human rights.
How do purity-based sexual ideologies support authoritarian governance, and why do societies gravitate toward these narratives during periods of instability?
Purity-based sexual ideologies are often associated with authoritarianism because they provide a sense of order and control in times of social upheaval and uncertainty. These ideologies promote traditional gender roles and morality, emphasizing the importance of conformity and obedience to authority figures. They also tend to demonize nonconforming individuals and groups, creating an us vs. them mentality that justifies repressive measures against dissenters.