Women, Politics, and Power: A Global Perspective

by Pamela Paxton, Melanie M. Hughes, Tiffany D. Barnes

Overview

Women, Politics, and Power: A Global Perspective provides a clear, detailed introduction to women’s political participation and representation across a wide range of countries and regions. Through broad statistical overviews and detailed case-study accounts, the authors document both historical trends and the contemporary state of women’s political strength. Readers see the cultural, structural, political, and international influences on women’s access to political power, and the difference women make once in political office.



The fourth edition includes the latest information available on women in politics around the world, including current events as they have unfolded across the globe. The newest thinking in the field is presented, including on violence against women in politics.



Approach and Features

• Nine thematic chapters explain women’s access to office in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and why it matters.
• Six chapters cover women’s political power in specific geographic regions with recent research and events.
• The book’s intersectional perspective attends to the ways gender interacts with other forms of difference, both throughout the volume and in a dedicated chapter.
• A bounty of figures, maps, and tables provide visual accounts of the variations in women’s access to political power around the world, the growth in women’s political power over time, and persistent obstacles to gender equality in politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538137529
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/17/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	504
Sales rank:	766,019
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Pamela Paxton is the Linda K. George and John Wilson Professor of Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin. PhD in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has consulted for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Academies. She has intersecting research interests in prosocial behavior, politics, gender, and methodology. She is the author of articles and books on women in politics, nonprofits, and quantitative methodology.



Melanie M. Hughes is Professor of Sociology, has a secondary appointment in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and is Co-Director of the Gender Inequality Research Lab (GIRL) at the University of Pittsburgh. PhD in Sociology from The Ohio State University. Her research considers how gender intersects with other forces of marginalization to influence women's political power. She has published numerous articles on women’s legislative representation cross-nationally in journals such as American Political Science Review, American Sociological Review, European Journal of Political Research, and Politics & Gender. Currently, she is consulting the United Nations Development Programme to increase the availability of data on women in decision-making positions in public administration. She is also writing a book on the political dominance of men from majority racial, ethnic, and religious groups worldwide.



Tiffany D. Barnes is an Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Kentucky and affiliated faculty with Gender and Women’s Studies and Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies. PhD in political science from Rice University. Her research focuses on Latin America, gender and politics, and comparative political institutions. Her book, Gendering Legislative Behavior, (Cambridge University Press 2016) won the Alan Rosenthal Prize from the Legislative Studies Section of the American Political Science Association (APSA) in 2017. Her other research appears in journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Comparative Political Studies, Political Research Quarterly, Politics & Gender, and Politics, Groups, and Identities. She was awarded the Emerging Scholar Award from the Legislative Studies Section of the APSA and the Early Career Award from the Midwest Women's Caucus for Political Science. She formerly served as the president for the Midwest Women's’ Caucus. She is an associate editor at Research & Politics, the editor of The Legislative Scholar, the newsletter for the Legislative Studies Section of the APSA, and on the editorial boards of The Journal of Politics, and Political Research Quarterly.

Table of Contents

About the Authors
Preface

1. Introduction to Women in Politics
Arguments for Women’s Representation in Politics
The Story of Mukhtar Mai: Village Council Justice
Wife Beating in Nigeria—de jure vs. de facto Law
Filibustering in Texas—A Woman Representative Holds Out
Justice Arguments for Women’s Representation
Utility Arguments for Women’s Representation
A Brief Overview of Women’s Participation in Politics
Orienting Theories
Power
The Dimensions of Power: An Example
Gender and Gender Stratification
Gender and Power Concepts: Patriarchy, Public Versus Private, and Intersectionality
Feminist Institutionalism
Overview of the Book

2. Women Struggle for the Vote: The History of Women’s Suffrage
Social Movement Concepts
Suffrage in the United States
Women’s Suffrage and the U.S. Constitution
Women and the Antislavery Movement: The Struggle Begins
The Leadership, Organization, and Tactics of the Early Suffrage Movement
“Ain’t I a Woman?” By Sojourner Truth, 1851
The State Suffrage Movement: Why the West Was Best
Partnering With the Progressive Movement
Opposition to Women’s Suffrage
Women Gain the Vote: The Events Leading to the Passage of the 19th Amendment
Suffrage Movements Outside the United States
Time Period
Movement Size, Composition, and Alliances
Goals and Ideology
Movement Opposition
Tactics and Level of Militancy
The International Women’s Movement
Women’s Suffrage After 1945
Women Exercising Their Vote
First Women Members of Parliament

3. Positions and Pathways: Women’s Representation in Government
Government Structures and Positions of Power
Women Presidents and Prime Ministers
Paths to Power for Women National Leaders
Difficulties Faced by Women Leaders
Women in Cabinet Positions
Women in Parliaments
Milestones and Historical Trajectories
Women in Parliaments Today
Women in the Judiciary
Women in Local Governance

4. Intersectionality and Difference
Thinking Intersectionally
Slower and Lower: The Double and Triple Barriers faced by Women from Marginalized Groups
Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women
Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex
Indigenous Women
The Puzzle of Success: Complementary and Strategic Opportunities
The Puzzle of Transgender Women’s Success
All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men
When Identities Collide: The Rights and Representaiton of Immigrant and Indigenous Women
But Who Represents Us? Multiple Marginalization and Substantive Representation
Out in the Open: “Out” Candidates and Public Officials
Who Is Indigenous

5. Explaining the Political Representation of Women—Culture
A Woman’s Place in History: Women in Political Philosophy
A Woman’s Place Today: The Continuing Power of Culture
Regional Differences
Religion
Cultural Attitudes
Culture and Women’s Representation in Politics
Ambition
Role Model Effects
Media

6. Explaining the Political Representation of Women—Social Structure
Economic Development
Money
Time
Civic and Political Skills
Education
Work
Networks
Beyond Meritocracy
Violence Against Women in Politics

7. Explaining the Political Representation of Women—Politics
Democracy
Selection Mechanisms
Electoral Systems
Why Are Proportional Representation Systems Good for Women?
Types of Political Representation Systems
Are the Same Systems and Rules Good for All Women?
Political Appointments
Characteristics of Political Parties
From Candidate to Legislator
Quotas
What Kinds of Quotas Are There and Which Are Better?
Threshold for Representation
Candidate Quotas, Political Party Quotas, and Reserved Seats
Quotas, Looking Beyond Gender
¡SOY JUANA, no “Juanita”!: Quota Reform in Mexico
Looking Beyond National Legislatures
The Adoption of Gender Quotas
Do Quotas affect Candidate Quality? Can Quotas Disrupt Men’s Power?

8. Explaining the Political Representation of Women—International Factors
The International Women’s Movement
A Brief History of Women’s Activism in the United Nations
Women’s Activism Increases the Supply and Demand of Women in Politics
Foreign Aid and Women’s Representation
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Armed Conflict and Women’s Access to Power

9. Do Women Make a Difference?
Thinking Differently: Women’s Views on Women and Their Policy Priorities
Acting Differently: Women’s Voting Patterns and Bill Sponsorship
Acting Successfully: Women’s Legislative Effectiveness
Legislating Differently: Women’s Legislative Style
Do Numbers Matter?
Women’s Movements and Women’s Policy Machinery as Alternative Sources of Influence
Winning Hearts and Minds: Symbolic Representation

10. Regions: The West and the United States
The Geography of Women in Politics
Western Industrialized Countries
Success Stories: Early Nordic Growth, Parity, and Imbalanced Cabinets
Backlash: Harassment, Violence, and the Murder of Jo Cox
Women in the European Union
Middle of the Pack: The United States
Women in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives: Growing Slowly
Women in the States
Women in the State Legislature
Women Governors
Women and the American Presidency
I Just Don’t Think She has a Presidential Look
Explanations—Culture
Explanations—Structure (Eligibility)
Explanations—Politics
Gender Gaps in American Politics
Party Affiliation
Voter Turnout
Campaign Activities

11. Eastern Europe and Central Asia
The Fall of the Soviet Union: Women Fall Too
Variation in Recovery
Explaining Women’s Political Power Since 1990
Eastern and Central Europe and the European Union
Populism and the Far-Right Bring Backslides

12. Latin America and the Caribbean
Legacies of Culture in Latin America
Democratization and Women’s Political Empowerment
Women’s Participation in Guerrilla Warfare and Revolutionary Movements
Women’s Participation in Protest Movements
Women’s Current Activism
Participation to Representation?
Gender Quotas
Setbacks and Challenges for Women in Politics

13. Middle East and North Africa
An Overview and Brief History of the Region
What Explains Women’s Underrepresentation?
Changes Come to Women of the Gulf Region
Wins for Women in Bahrain
Women’s Rights Stall in Kuwait
Forces for Change in the Region
Gender Quotas: A Look at Early Adopters
Raising Awareness about Women’s Political Underrepresentation in Turkey
Women and the Arab Spring
After the Arab Spring

14. Asia and the Pacific
Cultural Obstacles
Confucianism
Honor Culture
Women Voters (Not) Supporting Women
Structural Obstacles
Industrialization and Work
Violence Against Women
Family Ties
Clientelism and Corruption
Political Obstacles
Local Gender Quotas in India: Women in the Panchayat Raj
Women in Afghanistan

15. Sub-Saharan Africa
Colonialism
One-Party Rule, Democracy, and Democratization
Women, Ethnicity, and Ethnic Politics
Gender and Ethnic Quotas in Burundi
Increasing the Supply of Women Candidates
Changing Culture
Changing Politics
Continuing Challenges

16. Where Do We Go From Here? And How Do We Get There?
Where Are We Now?
Where Are We Going?
How Do We Get There?
Furthering Women’s Position in the Social Structure
Influencing Culture
Disrupting Politics as Usual
In Conclusion: What Would a 50/50 World Look Like?

Glossary
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

This is a 'huge' book: its ambition and reach is global. In a burgeoning field of study, this textbook provides students with access to the latest conceptual debates and empirical studies. Its coverage does not come at the cost of sophisticated analysis nor accessibility and engagement. It is an inspiring account of what politics and gender scholars have produced over the last 30 years. In a discipline that is often accused of being Anglo-centric/global north, it provides access to research from across the globe.



Considerable effort has been put into enabling the reader to easily to see what the book does, and in what order; the extensive contents page is superb. The two-part structure allows for discussion of generic theories and accounts of women's political participation and representation as well as, in its geographically distinct chapters discussion of regionally specific themes and debates. The authors are explicit in informing readers that whilst some countries and regions produce extensive and robust empirical data that in other places, there is frustratingly limited data. Where mixed findings are present in the literature, this is noted and not hidden. The details, facts and statistics are all here but more than this are the stories of women who have tried and failed as political actors; we hear their voices in their own words. The authors are always sensitive to variations in trajectories and do not shy away from complex, multi-causal explanations for patterns and outcomes.



I very much admire its 'talk to the camera' signposting. Concepts are introduced and the authors then suggest how readers might use these lenses elsewhere in the book. Theories of power and gender are introduced in ways all readers can understand; the discussion of sex and gender is superb; and there is considerable and considered discussion of intersectionality and IS research, going beyond the 'trinity' of sex, race and class - including reflection on sexuality and transgender/queer/indigenous women and politics. Debates and developments at the cutting edge of gender and politics research - such as Feminist institutionalism, and violence against women in politics - are highlighted. In reflecting developments in the wider literature there is more detailed discussion of Hilary US Clinton's presidential campaign, the death of British MP Jo Cox, and the threat of populism, and the far right.



It provides access in a single volume to huge range of conceptual debates and empirics about women, gender and politics, never dumbing down even as remains highly accessible to the reader new to this disciplinary area.

This is hands down the best textbook on women, gender, and politics from a global perspective. The book reflects the state-of-the-art literature in this area. It addresses key influences on women in politics: cultural, structural and institutional factors, in addition to historical, intersectional and international dimensions. Situating women in United States politics in a global perspective is an especially useful contribution.

From the Publisher

This is a ‘huge’ book: its ambition and reach is global. In a burgeoning field of study, this textbook provides students with access to the latest conceptual debates and empirical studies. Its coverage does not come at the cost of sophisticated analysis nor accessibility and engagement. It is an inspiring account of what politics and gender scholars have produced over the last 30 years. In a discipline that is often accused of being Anglo-centric/global north, it provides access to research from across the globe. Considerable effort has been put into enabling the reader to easily to see what the book does, and in what order; the extensive contents page is superb. The two-part structure allows for discussion of generic theories and accounts of women’s political participation and representation as well as, in its geographically distinct chapters discussion of regionally specific themes and debates. The authors are explicit in informing readers that whilst some countries and regions produce extensive and robust empirical data that in other places, there is frustratingly limited data. Where mixed findings are present in the literature, this is noted and not hidden. The details, facts and statistics are all here but more than this are the stories of women who have tried and failed as political actors; we hear their voices in their own words. The authors are always sensitive to variations in trajectories and do not shy away from complex, multi-causal explanations for patterns and outcomes. I very much admire its ‘talk to the camera’ signposting. Concepts are introduced and the authors then suggest how readers might use these lenses elsewhere in the book. Theories of power and gender are introduced in ways all readers can understand; the discussion of sex and gender is superb; and there is considerable and considered discussion of intersectionality and IS research, going beyond the ‘trinity’ of sex, race and class – including reflection on sexuality and transgender/queer/indigenous women and politics. Debates and developments at the cutting edge of gender and politics research – such as Feminist institutionalism, and violence against women in politics - are highlighted. In reflecting developments in the wider literature there is more detailed discussion of Hilary US Clinton’s presidential campaign, the death of British MP Jo Cox, and the threat of populism, and the far right. It provides access in a single volume to huge range of conceptual debates and empirics about women, gender and politics, never dumbing down even as remains highly accessible to the reader new to this disciplinary area.

Sarah Childs

This is hands down the best textbook on women, gender, and politics from a global perspective. The book reflects the state-of-the-art literature in this area. It addresses key influences on women in politics: cultural, structural and institutional factors, in addition to historical, intersectional and international dimensions. Situating women in United States politics in a global perspective is an especially useful contribution.

Aili Tripp

This is hands down the best textbook on women, gender, and politics from a global perspective. The book reflects the state-of-the-art literature in this area. It addresses key influences on women in politics: cultural, structural and institutional factors, in addition to historical, intersectional and international dimensions. Situating women in United States politics in a global perspective is an especially useful contribution.

Ali Tripp

"Paxton and Hughes provide the most comprehensive coverage yet attempted of women's increasing role in electoral politics across the globe. Women, Politics, and Power should be a a valuable contribution to course in political sociology and globalization as well as gendered courses in politics.

American Journal of Sociology - Carol Mueller

"Paxton and Hughes have put together a brilliant and detailed account of the current status of women's position in politics and women's political representation across diverse countries and regions of the world."

The Hindu - Padmini Swaminathan

"Paxton and Hughes provide the most comprehensive coverage yet attempted of women's increasing role in electoral politics across the globe. Women, Politics, and Power should be a a valuable contribution to course in political sociology and globalization as well as gendered courses in politics.— Carol Mueller

American Journal of Sociology

"Paxton and Hughes have put together a brilliant and detailed account of the current status of women's position in politics and women's political representation across diverse countries and regions of the world. "— Padmini Swaminathan

The Hindu