From Male Chauvinism to Techno-chauvinism: Misogyny in a digital age

Seminar abstract

Male chauvinistic language became taboo in organisations but now, fostered by right-wing populism and misogynistic on-line forums, is resurgent. This paper (currently out for review) explores the performative effects of this hate-speech. With my co-authors Rana Tassabehji and Hugh Lee, I develop understanding of how it works and anticipate ways of preventing its re-embedment in contemporary workplaces. We apply Judith Butler’s interrogation of the mechanisms that enable the injurious effects of such speech to a case study of a profession that is notoriously misogynistic. Our analysis shows how male speakers’ identities can become conditional upon use of such hate-speech, and how resistant voices are silenced by that chauvinistic language. We contribute a theory of techno-chauvinism which posits that contemporary misogynistic language draws libidinal energy from the banning of ‘old’ chauvinism; prohibiting its use might only add fuel to that energy. We suggest that feminist micro-revolutions, i.e. small actions that can bring about big changes, may offer effective forms of resistance.

How to join this seminar

This seminar is free to attend with no need to register in advance.

We welcome you to join us online on Wednesday 9 November at 12pm.

Speaker bio

Professor Nancy Harding

Nancy Harding is Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Bath’s School of Management. Her research and teaching focus on critical approaches to understanding organizations, particularly working lives, gender, and the performative constitution of identities. Her papers have appeared in many of the expected academic journals, and she has published two sole-authored books, two joint-authored books, and several edited collections.