Mr Chirac may be a male chauvinist at heart, but he can see the electoral advantages of a female mayor for Paris.

ECONOMIST: France

Was My Man a closet chauvinist?

FORBES: How Do Men Really Feel About Women and Power?

Derek Manford, the chairman, is himself a reformed male chauvinist: he opposed the equal-rights motion nine years ago (to his wife's displeasure), but says that the women have proved their worth by organising raffles, bingo and barbecues.

ECONOMIST: Working men's clubs

To the modern chauvinist, having a central bank ranks in importance up there with having a national flag.

FORBES: Dollarize Emerging Markets