WHY AMERICA HASN'T ELECTED A FEMALE PRESIDENT: AN ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON'S AND KAMALA HARRIS'S DEFEATS

Abstract

This thesis explores the electoral defeats of the two most successful female presidential candidates in American history, Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, where both candidates shockingly lost to the same opponent, Donald Trump. Through a comparative analysis using Clinton as the primary case study and Harris as a secondary reference, this thesis explores the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that shaped both of their campaigns and their losses. The comparative analysis is broken down into four main chapters: (1) the political climate of both election periods, (2) Trump's populist brand and appeal, (3) the role of race and gender in presidential politics, and (4) the influence of social media and misinformation. Ultimately, Clinton's loss revealed the difficulties that women face while pursuing the presidency, laying the precedent for Harris' election defeat, in which Harris encountered a similar but more intensified version of Clinton's experience.