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Men rule: The continued under-representation of women in U.S Politics

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August 20, 2013

Men rule: The continued under-representation of women in U.S Politics

 

Study after study finds that, when women run for office, they perform just as well as their male counterparts. No differences emerge in women and men’s fundraising receipts, vote totals, or electoral success. Yet women remain severely under-represented in U.S. political institutions. We argue that the fundamental reason for women’s under-representation is that they do not run for office. There is a substantial gender gap in political ambition; men tend to have it, and women don’t.

 

Resource type
Author
Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox
Publisher
Women & Politics Institute
Publication year
2012

 

Study after study finds that, when women run for office, they perform just as well as their male counterparts. No differences emerge in women and men’s fundraising receipts, vote totals, or electoral success. Yet women remain severely under-represented in U.S. political institutions. We argue that the fundamental reason for women’s under-representation is that they do not run for office. There is a substantial gender gap in political ambition; men tend to have it, and women don’t.

 

Resource type
Author
Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox
Publisher
Women & Politics Institute
Publication year
2012