Skip to Main Content

Political Power and Women’s Representation in Latin America

Online ISBN:
9780199866571
Print ISBN:
9780199731954
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Political Power and Women’s Representation in Latin America

Leslie A. Schwindt-Bayer
Leslie A. Schwindt-Bayer

Associate Professor of Political Science

University of Missouri
Find on
Published:
1 September 2010
Online ISBN:
9780199866571
Print ISBN:
9780199731954
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

The number of women elected to Latin American legislatures has grown significantly over the past 30 years. Yet, wide variation persists across countries within the region. These patterns generate politically relevant and theoretically challenging questions about the causes and consequences of women’s representation in Latin America. Why have the numbers of women in office increased in some countries and why does it vary across others? What does having women in office mean for how representatives legislate? And, what consequences does the election of women have for representative democracy, more generally? This book answers these questions by articulating a comprehensive theory of women’s representation and testing this theory empirically in Latin America. It first examines explanations for the varying gender representativeness of Latin American legislatures. Then, it focuses on how a legislator’s gender affects four types of substantive representation, specifically legislators’ political preferences, policymaking behavior, leadership posts and committee assignments, and home-style activities. Finally, it examines how women’s representation affects citizen views of representative democracy in the region. Ultimately, this book communicates the complex and often incomplete nature of women’s political representation in Latin America.

Contents
Close
This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

Close

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

View Article Abstract & Purchase Options

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Close