1. Election of Women Why so much variation across nations?
across American states?

2. 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%

3. Election of Women

4. Election of Women

5. 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

6. Election of Women

7. 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

8. Election of Women

9. 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

10. Election of Women

11. Election of Women

12. 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 %
JAP 11%
SubS Africa 18%

13. Election of Women Questions Why trends, why flattening?
Why partisan differences?
Why regional differences?
What effects of representation?

14. Election of Women Are voters biased against women candidates?
continued sexism?
Are there not enough viable women candidates?

15. 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

16. 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

17. Election of Women Major factors quotas in Constitution in Party rules
In Europe, left parties started quotas earlier

18. 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?

19. Election of Women Cultural factors? Scandinavia vs. rest of Europe
Gender roles different SP, IT than SWE...
New England vs. US South

20. 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

21. Election of Women

22. Election of Women

23. Election of Women Cultural v. Institutional factors
Traditional cultures =
fewer women in ‘modern’ careers
fewer women candidates
less recruitment of women candidates