(Anti)democratic Masculinities Theory in Action Transdisciplinary Reflections and Co-creation

Masculinity is a focal point in contemporary political discourse. Particularly right-wing and conservative actors fear that traditional masculinity is threatened by demands for equality. MEN4DEM will examine how anti-democratic masculinities are socialized, spill-over and justified in politics and how this influences democracy in Europe. This paper outlines the first iteration of a theoretical framework and serves as an initial compass for MEN4DEM’s future research and interventions. MEN4DEM will develop adapted versions as the project progresses.

Drawing on co-creation by a transdisciplinary team of academics, artists, and activists the framework maps how participants understand the relation between masculinity and democracy. Participants do not always agree, and they do not have to. But they do need a shared terminology. The co-creation process includes a literature review, panel discussions, internal self-study, surveys, diaries and participatory methods during a three-day workshop.

Three pillars support a theoretical framework to understand and foster the transformation of political masculinities in a democratic direction. First, a clear conceptualization of both non-democratic and democratic masculinities is essential. How can we theorize the normalization of violence, dominance, aggression, oppression, and power within certain masculinist discourses and how does this relate to democracy? How do inclusion, diversity, and empathy connect to realistic masculinity alternatives and democratic values? Second, participants identify the need for a theory of transformation to examine effective change. Such a theory will enable MEN4DEM to understand shifts over time, pinpoint key catalysts and reveal mechanisms that resist or obstruct change. Third, the framework must balance negative and positive associations with masculinities, avoiding reductive portrayals while recognizing the harm linked to hegemonic norms. This means acknowledgement of the complexity of masculinities and to make space for affirming, constructive, and plural models that align with democratic values.