It is always tempting to under- or over-value the lessons of history. But sometimes the parallels are too compelling to ignore. Consider, for example, the personnel policies of the ruling class among the predecessors of our most powerful political rival.
China has a long history of castrating rebels, lawbreakers, and members of other ethnic groups, such as the Mongols and Manchus. Initially, such individuals were used as slaves, doing heavy labor, and other menial tasks. However, starting with the Han Dynasty in 146
AD and after, there were eunuchs in his palace in China. The emperors preferred them because, although they had access to power, they could not establish powerful families that might challenge the existing ruler. This practice would continue right up to the 20th century, and many of the eunuchs did indeed become quite powerful as administrators, military figures, and explorers.
Surprisingly, a significant number of the eunuchs were volunteers who agreed to be castrated in order to gain access to power, and an improved standard of living. With very few exceptions, they served their emperors faithfully who then rewarded them with an improved living situation and access to power. Some went on to become the equivalent of secretary of state, head of the armed services, head of law enforcement, and minister of foreign affairs.
This situation is hardly unusual in the history of the world, though it is strongly associated with centralized power, such as sultans, kings, pharaohs, and emperors. As in the case of China, eunuchs have been able on occasion to gain great authority. The list of countries that has had powerful eunuchs includes Persia, Korea, Rome, Gujarat, Greece, Albania, and others. However, there is no precedent for a president. It would be very unusual, indeed unique, to find it associated with a democracy.
While each of these countries featured eunuchs who rose to considerable power, China seems to remain the most instructive example. Once a eunuch could gain the trust of the ruler, it was possible to increase power, and, on occasion, even challenge the ruler. Thus, there was the eunuch Wei Zhongxian who, by subverting a weak emperor, effectively ruled from 1620-27. He is likely the most reviled ruler that China has had. After subduing his emperor, he ran the government, killed hundreds of opponents, established temples to himself across China with his name on them, and created a secret police that terrified the populace.
While we know of no female eunuchs in male-dominated centralized polities this doesn’t mean they were not capable of great cruelty and opportunism when circumstances permitted, and — like eunuchs — they could transcend their assigned gender and social roles. History is littered with cruel ordinary women such as the Nazi Irma Grese, and also rulers, who gained their positions through either inheritance, artifice, marriage, or even murder. A brief and very incomplete list would include the aptly named Bloody Mary and the lesser-known lady Elizabeth Báthory of Hungary. However, China still holds a firm place in this pantheon of terrors. Wu Zetian, a concubine became empress through subterfuge and murders, one of which may have been the strangulation of her and her emperor’s newborn daughter who was guilty of not being a male. Currently, there are a number of women heading departments and elsewhere in government who seem less than benevolent.
Obviously, the desire for increased power and wealth can lead to the abandonment of personhood in the pursuit of self-interest. Despite our trade war with China and regarding it as our enemy, it is striking that the Trump administration has emulated the power dynamics of an ancient Chinese empire, replete with named temples to himself, a newly defined Trump-Kennedy Center and a ballroom under construction that, when completed, will dwarf the White House. One can guess the name of this incomplete edifice. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
Following the shameful attack on Congress of January 6, 2021 Trump was strongly criticized by many leading Republican Senators such as Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz. Subsequently, in a political act of moral emasculation, these men have become among his strongest supporters: they now blame the Democrats for “politicizing” January 6th. Trump’s executive appointees, who promised to act independently at their confirmation hearings, have also proven to be totally neutered and slavish in their behavior. And all this in an administration officially opposed to gender-transforming care.
It is both ironic and instructive that our current would-be emperor, whose official uniform consists mainly of a MAGA hat, has used this imperial Chinese system and its eunuchs as a model for how to run a modern government.
Douglas Raybeck is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Hamilton College. Joel Savishinsky is the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus in the Social Sciences at Ithaca College.