Webs of Masculinity: A Nascent Network Analysis of Claims-Makers on Behalf of Men in British Politics

Men are over-represented in politics, but to what extent does this translate into positive policy outcomes for men within different polities and settings? We present the first steps of a network analysis of actors that influence policies targeting men within British politics. We present an overview of contributors to political debate and processes, and explore linkages between these actors both within and beyond parliamentary politics. These linkages are important because they reveal which persons, groups, organisations and other stakeholders are actively included in male-focused policy-making processes. They also indicate which groups and agendas remain marginalised within formal politics. Our data is drawn from qualitative analysis of several committee-level documents, as well as work of certain all-party parliamentary groups, that have engaged in clear and concerted efforts to create policies that directly affect men within British parliament. Furthermore, we also draw on insights and information gathered from semi-structured interviews conducted with parliamentarians, activists, and spokespersons involved in this area of policymaking. Our initial findings indicate that certain policy discussions frequently draw on non-parliamentary actors to both evidence and support particular policy interventions. We find a small core number of parliamentarians that are highly active in making claims on behalf of men and advocating for more male-centred policies. We also identify significant gaps and absences in the wider political discourse, and clearly isolated communities of experts, activists, and politicians that dominate narrow areas of policy discussion.