Overview

Over the last three decades, women have made significant inroads into political life. Yet the equal and inclusive sharing of political power remains elusive. The number of women in political positions still falls short of full equality, and even when women enter politics, they often continue to be marginalized and do not reflect the full diversity of women as a group. Written by a leading authority on women and politics, this incisive book makes the case for gender parity and identifies strategies to achieve it. Offering a roadmap for advocates, Mona Lena Krook argues that parity is not simply about numbers, but also about the ability of women, in all their diversity, to exercise equal voice and influence. She assembles evidence showing that parity – defined in terms of access, power, and diversity – advances equality and human rights, promotes the election of qualified and diligent politicians, fosters more responsive public policy, and enhances democratic legitimacy. Identifying socialization, discrimination, and backlash as key barriers to gender parity, she presents and assesses a wide range of strategies developed around the global to counteract these obstacles. The book concludes with a call to action, highlighting the role that a variety of actors might play in advancing this agenda. In sum: everyone can do something to advance parity in the political world.

Full Product Details

9781509566945

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Elect Women for a Change is a manifesto for gender parity in politics. This requires equal numbers, equal voice and influence, and the full diversity of identities. Highly accessible and pacey, and brimming with global evidence, this book makes the compelling argument that politics must and can change."" Sarah Childs, University of Edinburgh ""At a time when the notion of gender parity is under renewed attack, fuelled by a cultural backlash, this book by one of the foremeost scholars in the field provides new insights into the pathways which have gradually expanded women's representation in the hallways of power in recent decades - as well as what needs to be done to make further headway against stiff winds of resistance. In short, it tells us how we got here. What still needs to be done. And why gender parity in the public sphere remains an important and valuable, if elusive, ideal."" Pippa Norris, Harvard University

Author Information

Mona Lena Krook is Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University.

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