Women, Politics, and Power

Women, Politics, and Power: A Global Perspective, Third Edition 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, authors Pamela Paxton and Melanie M. Hughes 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 text acknowledges differences among women through attention to intersectionality and women from marginalized groups.

Women, Politics, and Power: A Global Perspective, Third Edition 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, authors Pamela Paxton and Melanie M. Hughes 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 text acknowledges differences among women through attention to intersectionality and women from marginalized groups.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Women in Politics
Arguments for Women's Representation in Politics
A Brief Overview of Women's Participation in Politics
Orienting Theories
Overview of the Book
Chapter 2: Women Struggle for the Vote
Social Movement Concepts
Suffrage in the United States
Women Gain the Vote: The Events Leading to the Passage of the 19th Amendment
The International Women's Movement
Women's Suffrage After 1945
Women Exercising Their Vote
Chapter 3: Women Struggle for Representation
First Women Members of Parliament
Women Access Parliaments: Historical Patterns of Representation
Women in Top Leadership Positions
Women in Cabinet Positions
Moving Up the Ladder: Women in Local Governance
Chapter 4: 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
Culture and Women's Representation in Politics
Chapter 5: Explaining the Political Representation of Women--Social Structure
Money
Time
Civic Skills and Community Participation
Education
Work
Economic Power
Informal Networks
Structural Arguments: The Evidence
Chapter 6: Explaining the Political Representation of Women--Politics
Democracy
Electoral Systems
Characteristics of Political Parties
From Candidate to Legislator
Quotas
Chapter 7: Explaining the Political Representation of Women--International Factors
The International Women's Movement
Does It Make a Difference?
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Chapter 8: 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
Legislating Differently: Women's Legislative Style
Do Numbers Matter? Critical Mass and Women's Impact
Women's Movements and Women's Policy Machinery as Alternative Sources of Influence
Winning Hearts and Minds: Symbolic Representation
Chapter 9: Women from Marginalized Groups
Thinking Intersectionally
Double Barriers
Strategic Opportunities
Acknowledging Differences
Chapter 10: Regions: The West and the United States
The Geography of Women in Politics
Western Industrialized Countries
Middle of the Pack: The United States
Chapter 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
Chapter 12: Latin America and the Caribbean
Legacies of Culture in Latin America
Democratization and Women's Political Empowerment
Gender Quotas
Chapter 13: Middle East and North Africa
An Overview and Brief History of the Region
Changes Come to Women of the Gulf Region
Forces for Change in the Region
Women and the Arab Spring
Chapter 14: Asia and the Pacific
Cultural Obstacles
Family Ties and Clientelism
Gender Quotas in Local Politics
The Political Representation of Women from Marginalized Groups
Women in Afghanistan
Chapter 15: Sub-Saharan Africa
Colonialism
One-Party Rule, Democracy and Democratization
Women, Ethnicity, and Nationalism
Armed Conflict: Devastation Yet Hope?
Continuing Challenges
Chapter 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?