Masculinity In America

In Michael A. Messner’s article, “The Masculinity of the Governator: Muscle and Compassion in American Politics,” Messner described how Republican candidates, but specifically Arnold Schwarzenegger, used hegemonic masculinity to influence voters. The author explains that hegemonic masculinity, as it pertains to politics, is not just about having power, but rather it is having power along the correct combination of identities such as class, race and gender, in order to command authority from more subordinated people. Schwarzenegger had this perfect combination of identities with as a white, muscular, heterosexual man. Further, his European background allowed him to play into the fact that America is a meritocracy and anyone can work their way up.
As Messner explained, hegemonic masculinity requires a variety of different traits used to subordinate others. A large theme in Trumps campaign involved emphasizing the traits he had that conformed to hegemonic masculinity, specifically his wealth, in order to distract from those he didn’t, including a muscular body (something that Schwarzenegger used to his advantage). Further, he constantly put down others - and specifically other groups, like immigrants - in order to subordinate them and prove his hegemonic masculinity. Hillary Clinton was also greatly impacted by hegemonic masculinity, in that society is accustomed to seeing hegemonic males in power positions, and Clinton was put in the impossible position of attempting to embody that. As Messner explained, male politicians- Schwarzenegger being a prime example - have mastered the balance between tough and caring. As a women, this is a more difficult feat and one that Hillary Clinton was not able to pull off. Many people that disliked Clinton commented on her coldness, however, this coldness was simply and attempt at seeming tough, like the hegemonic male