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Leading the Progressive Agenda: Analysing the Swedish Discourse about Female Political Leadership

Wester, Victoria LU (2024) STVK04 20241
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This research investigates the research question "How has the discourse surrounding female political leadership developed in Sweden between 1998-2018?". By applying a critical discourse analysis onto a set of 64 articles about seven political leaders from the years 1998 and 2018, this study aims to investigate developments and differences in the discourse longitudinally. Using a theoretical framework based in feminist media theory, mainly constructed on the basis of Sreberny-Mohammadi & Ross’s (1996) concept of gendered mediation, different discursive, semiotic and linguistic aspects of the material was analysed in order to unveil the power structures behind the discourse. The analysis found a shift towards more neutral coverage, with less... (More)
This research investigates the research question "How has the discourse surrounding female political leadership developed in Sweden between 1998-2018?". By applying a critical discourse analysis onto a set of 64 articles about seven political leaders from the years 1998 and 2018, this study aims to investigate developments and differences in the discourse longitudinally. Using a theoretical framework based in feminist media theory, mainly constructed on the basis of Sreberny-Mohammadi & Ross’s (1996) concept of gendered mediation, different discursive, semiotic and linguistic aspects of the material was analysed in order to unveil the power structures behind the discourse. The analysis found a shift towards more neutral coverage, with less charged wording and more proactive use of verbs in relation to the female leaders. Despite this, traditional gender roles and underlying biases persist, depicting women as inferior within a masculine context. Negative coverage decreased between 1998 and 2018, yet ongoing negative comparisons and war metaphors highlight enduring patriarchal values that continually cast women as unnatural political actors and shape public perceptions. In summary, the discourse around female political leadership seems to be shifting towards a more neutral one in expression, but the underlying power structures remain stubborn. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wester, Victoria LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
critical discourse analysis, feminist media theory, gendered mediation, political leadership, Sweden, discourse
language
English
id
9152293
date added to LUP
2024-07-18 13:37:07
date last changed
2024-07-18 13:37:24
@misc{9152293,
  abstract     = {{This research investigates the research question "How has the discourse surrounding female political leadership developed in Sweden between 1998-2018?". By applying a critical discourse analysis onto a set of 64 articles about seven political leaders from the years 1998 and 2018, this study aims to investigate developments and differences in the discourse longitudinally. Using a theoretical framework based in feminist media theory, mainly constructed on the basis of Sreberny-Mohammadi & Ross’s (1996) concept of gendered mediation, different discursive, semiotic and linguistic aspects of the material was analysed in order to unveil the power structures behind the discourse. The analysis found a shift towards more neutral coverage, with less charged wording and more proactive use of verbs in relation to the female leaders. Despite this, traditional gender roles and underlying biases persist, depicting women as inferior within a masculine context. Negative coverage decreased between 1998 and 2018, yet ongoing negative comparisons and war metaphors highlight enduring patriarchal values that continually cast women as unnatural political actors and shape public perceptions. In summary, the discourse around female political leadership seems to be shifting towards a more neutral one in expression, but the underlying power structures remain stubborn.}},
  author       = {{Wester, Victoria}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Leading the Progressive Agenda: Analysing the Swedish Discourse about Female Political Leadership}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}