Chauvinism (IPA:/'ʃoʊ.vəˌnɪzm̩/) is extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of a group to which one belongs, especially when
the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group. Jingoism is a similar term
of British derivation. A frequent contemporary use of the term in English is male chauvinism, which refers to the belief
that males are superior to females. A less common term female chauvinism could mean the opposite of male chauvinism, the
belief that females are superior to males, or it could refer to females who replicate male chauvinism and sexist stereotypes, as
seen in Ariel Levy's book, Female Chauvinist
Pigs.
Etymology
The term is derived from the undocumented Nicolas Chauvin, whose legend made him out to be a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. He
served in the Wars of Revolution (1798-1800) and the Napoleonic Wars and was wounded
seventeen times and severely disabled. Despite its unpopularity in Restoration France, he was an ardent Bonapartist and was often seen wearing a violet in his lapel, the symbol of his deposed Emperor. He remained
fanatically loyal despite his poverty and disability and the abuse he suffered.
Many writers and historians falsely attribute to Chauvin the exploits of other Bonapartists. It is claimed he served in the
Old Guard at Waterloo (unlikely considering his age and the severity of his
disabilities). When the Old Guard was surrounded and made its last stand at Le Belle Alliance, he supposedly shouted in defiance
to a call for their honorable surrender: "The Old Guard dies but does not surrender!", implying blind and unquestioned
zeal to one's country [or other group of reference]. {This apocriphal phrase is actually attributed to the Old Guard's commander,
who was also supposed to have answered "Merde!" ("Shit!"). Recent historical research has revealed that the Old Guard were
never asked by the British and Allied forces if they wanted to surrender and never asked for quarter, so both quotes are believed
false.}
The origin and early usage indicate that chauvinisme was coined to describe excessive nationalism, and the original French term retains this meaning today. The term entered public use due to a
satirical treatment of Chauvin in the French play La Cocarde Tricolore (The Tricolore Cockade).
Chauvinism as nationalism
In "Imperialism, Nationalism, Chauvinism", in The Review of Politics 7.4, (October 1945), p. 457,
Hannah Arendt describes the concept:
- Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept insofar as it springs directly from the old idea of the
"national mission." ... (A) nation's mission might be interpreted precisely as bringing its light to other, less fortunate
peoples that, for whatever reason, have miraculously been left by history without a national mission. As long as this concept did
not develop into the ideology of chauvinism and remained in the rather vague realm of national or even nationalistic pride, it
frequently resulted in a high sense of responsibility for the welfare of backward peoples.
(See, for example, white man's burden.)
The word does not require a judgment that the chauvinist is right or wrong in his opinion, only that he is blind and
unreasoning in coming to it, ignoring any facts which might temper his fervor. In modern use, however, it is often used
pejoratively to imply that the chauvinist is both unreasoning and wrong.
Male chauvinism
Male chauvinism is a term used to describe the belief that males are superior to
females. The word "chauvinist" was originally used to describe
one who has a fanatical loyalty in one's country. The word was later applied by the
"women's liberation movement" in the 1960s and used to describe
men who believe women are inferior, speak to them as inferiors, or treat them negatively based solely upon their gender. The
slur "chauvinist pig" has been reclaimed by some men as a jocular
personal rebuttal or tolerance of such accusations.[citation needed]
Female chauvinism
Female chauvinism can refer to two things. It can be the belief that females are
superior to males. It can also refer to women who replicate male chauvinism and sexist
stereotypes.
According to popular writers Nathanson and Young, what they see as 'ideological'
feminism is chauvinistic as well as misandric. They assert that many so-called 'ideological' feminists have claimed that "women
are psychologically, morally, spiritually, intellectually, and biologically superior to men"[1]. They also assert that these feminists consider knowledge created by women to be
superior to that created by men.[2]
Wendy McElroy claims that in some "gender
feminist" views, all men are considered un-reformable rapists, wife-beating brutes and useless as partners or fathers to
women[3]. McElroy and other authors such as Camille Paglia
claim that gender feminists view women as innocent victims who never make irresponsible or morally questionable choices[4]. Other feminists such as Kate Fillion have started questioning
the idea that women are always innocent victims of relationship problems and men always the guilty victimizers[5].
Ariel Levy uses the term in another sense in the title of her book, Female Chauvinist Pigs. She claims that many young women in the United States are replicating
male chauvinism and sexist stereotypes about women in their embrace of "raunch culture" and traditionally masculine
attributes[6].
See also
References
- ^ Paul Nathanson and Katherine K. Young, Spreading Misandry: The Teaching
of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture p.[citation needed]
- ^ Paul Nathanson and Katherine K. Young, Legalizing Misandry: From Public
Shame to Systemic Discrimination against Men p.[citation needed]
- ^ Wendy McElroy, Sexual Correctness: The Gender-Feminist Attack on
Women p.[citation needed]
- ^ Guests: Camille Paglia & Christina Hoff Sommers Has Feminism Gone Too Far? Think Tank™ With Ben Wattenberg -
aired: 4 Nov 1994 accessed 6 Jan 2006
- ^ Kate Fillion, Lip Service: The Truth About Women's Darker Side in Love, Sex and Friendship
- ^ Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture,
Ariel Levy, 2006, ISBN 0743284283
External links
- Female Chauvinism
nan:Chauvin-chú-gī
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