What would it be like if women ruled the world? Over the past 10 days, the question has been put by newspapers and broadcasters to all sorts of people – and all sorts of answers have been provided.

If women ruled, they variously declared, there would be fewer meetings. Things would run more efficiently. There would be no more wars. There would be no more jokes, either. It would be just as nasty as a male world. It would be a kinder place. Superior childcare would be free. Expense accounts would be slashed. The world would be safer and saner. It would be dull. There would be more teamwork. Botox not baseball would be discussed over lunch.