Author Linda Robinson’s new book examines how women leaders stand up to authoritarianism

Linda Robinson discussed her latest book, Women in Power: Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism, with students on September 17. The book talk, hosted by the Institute of Global Politics Ann F. Kaplan Women’s Initiative and moderated by Rachel Vogelstein, director of the Women’s Initiative, touched on the challenges and priorities of contemporary women leaders in an age of profound democratic backsliding.

“[The book] really is trying to talk about the status of women’s leadership in the current context of democratic decline,” said Robinson, a journalist and senior fellow for Women and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. “So, [it’s] putting women into the democracy story—not just how they’re being affected by the rise of authoritarianism and various tendencies, but how they are agents, not just victims.”

Women in Power examines specific case studies, from Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen facing an increasingly belligerent China to Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, who is leading the campaign for disaster-related debt relief and financing. “I think it’s important to note that the book analyzes women leaders from across the political spectrum,” Robinson said. “A deciding criterion” for inclusion in the book, Robinson said, was whether the leaders are “confronting a big challenge.”

The democratically elected leaders Robinson profiles have all led their countries during existential crises like COVID-19, Russian disinformation campaigns, Chinese aggression, government corruption, and financial challenges. Times of crisis and challenge can be opportunities for women to rise into positions of power, Robinson found—and to make real change in both domestic and foreign policy.

Still, there are significant barriers to entry, including misogynistic online attacks—which are connected to broader attacks on women’s rights and democratic norms. Online harassment and abuse of women leaders require stronger regulation, she noted.

To reverse democratic backsliding, Robinson told students to consider running for office, whatever their future careers might be.

“You have to get in the ring if we’re going to have better developments,” she said.

Women in Power: Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism, published by Columbia University Press, is available now.