Election of Women Why so much variation across nations? across American states?
Election of Women Major changes In US Congress In State legislatures about 17% “big” increase post 1990 In State legislatures steady gains post 1970 little change in last 10 years frozen at about 23%
Election of Women
Election of Women
Election of Women Candidate recruitment In states, increase in # of candidates tracked w/ increase in # of women elected Since 1992, pool of candidates has not increased
Election of Women
Election of Women Major partisan differences Since 1990, fewer GOP women elected More Dem women elected 31% of D state legislators women 15% of R state legislators women Same pattern in US Congress
Election of Women
Election of Women Regional variation Women have made major gains in some states New England, WA, West Highest = 40% in CO Little representation in many states South lowest = 13% in SC
Election of Women
Election of Women
Election of Women Nordic 42% Americas 22% Europe 22% Europe (n-n) 20% SWE 45% Americas 22% CAN 22%, MEX 18% Europe 22% SUI 29%, GER 33% Europe (n-n) 20% RUS 14% Asia 19% JAP 11% SubS Africa 18%
Election of Women Questions Why trends, why flattening? Why partisan differences? Why regional differences? What effects of representation?
Election of Women Are voters biased against women candidates? continued sexism? Are there not enough viable women candidates?
Election of Women Major factors Party recruitment Is this reason for party difference? in US, local parties lower office route to other nations Party list placement
Election of Women Major factors Campaign finance Men and women have different networks Different opportunities for raising money Women fewer opportunities to raise large sums of money
Election of Women Major factors quotas in Constitution in Party rules In Europe, left parties started quotas earlier
Election of Women Single member vs. multi-member districts WA, AZ.... Voters more likely to vote for woman if also first have chance to vote for a man?
Election of Women Cultural factors? Scandinavia vs. rest of Europe Gender roles different SP, IT than SWE... New England vs. US South
Election of Women Daniel Elazar’s US Political Culture thesis Moralistic Government advance society, Scandinavians Individualistic politics to advance personal economic goals Traditionalistic hierarchy, authority
Election of Women
Election of Women
Election of Women Cultural v. Institutional factors Traditional cultures = fewer women in ‘modern’ careers fewer women candidates less recruitment of women candidates