Thursday seminar: BIFD Liza Mügge + BIFD Marija Radoman
Masculine Power: Political Privilege and the Future of Democracy
by Liza Mügge
Politics is still shaped by masculine norms—often so familiar that they remain invisible. This talk explores how ideals of manhood influence who is heard, how authority is performed, and which forms of power are considered legitimate. At a time when far-right and anti-gender movements strategically mobilize masculinity, understanding these dynamics is essential. Drawing on the concept of political masculinities, the talk shows how gendered scripts structure political privilege, exclusion, and resistance—and why they matter for democracy.
Bio
Liza Mügge is Professor in Politics of Diversity at the political science department of the University of Amsterdam. She leads several international research projects funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the European Commission (Horizon Europe) (see politicsofdiversity.eu). She is founding editor of the European Journal of Politics & Gender.
Democracy and LGBTIQ Rights in Southeast Europe
by Marija Radoman
This talk examines the relationship between attitudes towards LGBTIQ rights and broader political values related to democracy and authoritarianism in Southeast Europe. Previous research has often found a connection between authoritarian attitudes and intolerance towards LGBTIQ people, although the strength of this relationship vary across different contexts. The main focus of this analysis is to examine the extent to which attitudes towards LGBTIQ rights are associated with authoritarian political values at the individual level. The talk will draw on data from the European Social Survey, including Round 11 (2023/24), reports by ILGA-Europe, and an analysis of relevant social and political contexts. Particular attention will be paid to post-socialist societies, with a comparative perspective on the region and Europe. The analysis also considers the growing use of LGBTIQ issues by illiberal and nationalist political parties to mobilise support. It takes into account the selective acceptance of LGBTIQ people, including the particular exclusion of trans people, their bodies, and their visibility. Moving beyond the measurement of negative attitudes towards one marginalised group, the talk explores what these attitudes reveal about wider political orientations, the strengthening of right-wing trends in Europe, and violence and stereotypes directed at LGBTIQ people.
Bio
Marija Radoman is a PhD sociologist with over a decade of experience in gender and queer studies, political values, LGBTQ+ rights, and research methodologies. Her academic work focuses on the intersections of social structures and individual experiences. She currently serves as a Research Associate at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, affiliated with the Institute for Sociological Research.