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Gender quotas and public demand for increasing women's representation in politics: an analysis of 28 European countries
[journal article]
Abstract Female representation in political decision-making positions is now a salient issue in public discussions throughout Europe. Understanding public attitudes towards a more balanced gender distribution in politics remains limited, however. Using a 2017 Eurobarometer, we focus on cross-national differe... view more
Female representation in political decision-making positions is now a salient issue in public discussions throughout Europe. Understanding public attitudes towards a more balanced gender distribution in politics remains limited, however. Using a 2017 Eurobarometer, we focus on cross-national differences in public support for increased female participation in politics to address this limitation. Building on the policy feedbacks literature, we stress the role of gender quotas. We argue that quotas - as legislative devices usually adopted through elite-driven initiatives - stimulate support for stronger female representation. Ensuing debates on quotas raise individual awareness about the underrepresentation of women - informational effect - and, once adopted, give a clear signal that persistent gender imbalance is a social problem to be redressed - normative effect. Our empirical analysis supports this argument. Citizens in countries with gender quotas display stronger support for increased female participation in politics.... view less
Keywords
Eurobarometer; gender; quota; proportion of women; woman; ; public opinion; decision maker; sex ratio; political participation
Classification
Women's Studies, Feminist Studies, Gender Studies
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
political representation; Europe; Eurobarometer 87.4 (2017) (ZA6924 v1.0.0)
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 351-370
Journal
European Political Science Review, 13 (2021) 3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755773921000126
ISSN
1755-7747
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed