Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Women’s Political Empowerment Through Public Opinion Research: The Citizen Perspective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Measuring Women’s Political Empowerment across the Globe

Part of the book series: Gender and Politics ((GAP))

Abstract

Engaging in politics through various activities is an important way for citizens to empower themselves politically. Using public opinion data (World Values Survey 2010–2014), Alexander and Coffé measure gender gaps in mainstream and activist modes of engagement, as well as more general attitudes towards women’s role in politics, thereby focusing on differences between birth cohorts and between countries, depending on their level of gender equality. The chapter concludes with suggestions on how public opinion research could help us to further improve our knowledge on gender differences in political empowerment by including more specific measures which take into account women’s different focus and interests compared with men.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Following prior research (Coffé 2013; Norris et al. 2004), we investigated whether gender gaps in electoral participation in our global sample were different for local and national elections. Overall, the pattern was similar. Therefore, we combined both types of electoral participation.

  2. 2.

    Three countries are not included in the comparative cross-national analysis due to missing information in the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index.

  3. 3.

    This contradicts the findings of Fraile and Gomez (2017) who show in their European comparison that while the gender gap in political interest is similar between age groups in contexts of low gender equality, it increases (and not decreases) significantly with age in contexts of greater gender equality.

References

  • Abramson, P. A., & Inglehart, R. (1995). Value Change in Global Perspective. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, A. C. (2012). Change in Women’s Descriptive Representation and the Belief in Women’s Ability to Govern: A Virtuous Cycle. Politics and Gender, 8, 437–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, A. C., Bolzendahl, C., & Jalalzai, F. (2016a). Defining Women’s Global Political Empowerment: Theories and Evidence. Sociology Compass, 10, 432–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, A.C., Inglehart, R., & Welzel, C. (2016b). Emancipating Sexuality: Breakthroughs into a Bulwark of Tradition. Social Indicators Research (Open Access), 1–27. doi:10.1007/s11205-015-1137-9

  • Alexander, A. C., & Welzel, C. (2011). Explaining Women’s Empowerment: The Role of Emancipative Beliefs. European Sociological Review, 27(3), 364–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, A. C., & Welzel, C. (2015). Eroding Patriarchy: The Co-evolution of Women’s Rights and Emancipative Values. International Review of Sociology, 25, 144–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boli, J., & Thomas, G. M. (Eds.). (1999). Constructing World Culture: International Nongovernmental Organizations Since 1875. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolzendahl, C., & Coffé, H. (2009). Citizenship Beyond Politics: The Importance of Political, Civil and Social Rights and Responsibilities Among Women and Men. The British Journal of Sociology, 60(4), 763–791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolzendahl, C. I., & Myers, D. J. (2004). Feminist Attitudes and Support for Gender Equality: Opinion Change in Women and Men, 1974–1998. Social Forces, 83(2), 759–789.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourque, S. C., & Grossholtz, J. (1998). Politics an Unnatural Practice: Political Science Looks at Female Participation. In A. Phillips (Ed.), Feminism and Politics (pp. 23–43). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, N. (2007). Gender in the Aggregate, Gender in the Individual, Gender and Political Action. Politics & Gender, 3(01), 104–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, N., Schlozman, K. L., & Verba, S. (1997). The Public Consequences of Private Inequality: Family Life and Citizen Participation. American Political Science Review, 91, 373–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, N., Schlozman, K. L., & Verba, S. (2001). The Private Roots of Public Action. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrell, B. C. (2004). Women and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: Abc-Clio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R., & Winters, K. (2008). Understanding Men’s and Women’s Political Interests: Evidence from a Study of Gendered Political Attitudes. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties, 18, 53–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chafetz, J. S., & Dworkin, A. G. (1986). Female Revolt: Women’s Movements in World and Historical Perspective. Totowa, NJ: Rowman & Allanheld.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chibber, P. (2002). Why Are Some Women Politically Active? The Household, Public Space, and Political Participation in India. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 43(3–5), 409–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffé, H. (2013). Women Stay Local, Men go National and Global? Gender Differences in Political Interest. Sex Roles, 69(5), 323–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffé, H., & Bolzendahl, C. (2010). Same Game, Different Rules? Gender Differences in Political Participation. Sex Roles, 62(5-6), 318–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffe, H., & Bolzendahl, C. (2011). Gender Gaps in Political Participation Across Sub-Saharan African Nations. Social Indicators Research, 102(2), 245–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffé, H., & Dilli, S. (2015). The Gender Gap in Political Participation in Muslim-Majority Countries. International Political Science Review, 36(5), 526–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currell, B. C. (2005). Gender, Presidential Elections and Public Policy: Making Women’s Votes Matter. Journal of Women, Politics and Policy, 27(1), 31–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalton, R. J. (2013). Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies. Thousand Oaks: CQ Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desposato, S., & Norrander, B. (2009). The Gender Gap in Latin America: Contextual and Individual Influences on Gender and Political Participation. British Journal of Political Science, 39, 141–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engeli, I., Ballmer-Cao, T. H., & Giugni, M. (2006). Gender Gap and Turnout in the 2003 Federal Elections. Swiss Political Science Review, 12, 217–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraile, M., & Gomez, R. (2017). Bridging the Enduring Gender Gap in Political Interest in Europe: The Relevance of Promoting Gender Equality. European Journal of Political Research, Advanced online publication. doi:10.1111/1475-6765.12200

  • Frazer, E., & Macdonald, K. (2003). Sex Differences in Political Knowledge in Britain. Political Studies, 51(1), 67–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallego, A. (2007). Unequal Political Participation in Europe. International Journal of Sociology, 37(4), 10–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giger, N. (2009). Towards a Modern Gender Gap in Europe? A Comparative Analysis of Voting Behavior in 12 Countries. The Social Science Journal, 46, 474–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, M. M., Kittilson, M. C., & Sandholtz, W. (2006). Women and Globalization: A Study of 180 Countries, 1975–2000. International Organization, 60(02), 293–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, B. C., McAllistair, I., & Studlar, D. T. (2000). Gender, Postmaterialism, and Feminism in Comparative Perspective. International Political Science Review, 21(4), 425–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Htun, M., & Weldon, L. (2012). The Civic Origins of Progressive Policy Change: Combating Violence Against Women in Global Perspective, 1975–2005. American Political Science Review, 106, 548–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, M. M., Peterson, L., Harrison, J. A., & Paxton, P. (2009). Power and Relation in the World Polity: The INGO Network Country Score, 1978–1998. Social Forces, 87, 1712–1742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2000). A Developmental Theory of the Gender Gap: Women and Men’s Voting Behavior in Global Perspective. International Political Science Review, 21, 441–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2003). Rising Tide: Gender Equality and Culture Change Around the World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart, R., & Welzel, C. (2005). Modernization, Cultural Change, and Democracy: The Human Development Sequence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson, T., & Rosenbluth, F. (2006). The Political Economy of Gender: Explaining Cross-national Variation in the Gender Division of Labor and the Gender Voting Gap. American Journal of Political Science., 50(1), 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabeer, N. (1999). Resources, Agency, Achievements: Reflections on the Measurement of Women’s Empowerment. Development and Change, 30(3), 435–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kittilson, M. C., & Schwindt-Bayer, L. (2012). The Gendered Effects of Electoral Institutions: Political Engagement and Participation. Comparative Politics Series. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, P. (2002). Democratic Phoenix: Reinventing Political Activism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, P., Lovenduski, J., & Campbell, R. (2004). Gender and Political Participation. London: Electoral Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry, G., Moyser, G., & Day, N. (1992). Political Participation and Democracy in Britain. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Paxton, P., Kunovich, S., & Hughes, M. M. (2007). Gender in Politics. Annual Review of Sociology, 33, 263–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pintor, R. L., & Gratschew, M. (2002). Voter Turnout Since 1945: A Global Report. Stockholm: Int. IDEA. http://www.idea.int/publications/vt/index.cfm

  • Ramirez, F., Soysal, Y., & Shanahan, S. (1997). The Changing Logic of Political Citizenship: Cross-national Acquisition and Women’s Suffrage Rights, 1890–1990. American Sociological Review, 62, 735–745.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez, V. E. (2003). Women in Contemporary Mexican Politics. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, M., & Heldman, C. (2001). Gender Gap or Gender Gaps? New Perspectives on Support for Government Action and Policies. The Journal of Politics, 63(1), 59–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlozman, K. L., Burns, N., & Verba, S. (1999). “What Happened at Work Today?”: A Multistage Model of Gender, Employment, and Political Participation. The Journal of Politics, 61(1), 29–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, R., & Mahajan, H. (1986). Gender Differences in Policy Preferences: A Summary of Trends From the 1960s to the 1990s. Public Opinion Quarterly, 50(1), 42–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarrow, S. (1994). Power in Movement: Social Movements, Collective Action and Mass Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhlaner, C. J. (1989). “Relational Goods” and Participation: Incorporating Sociability Into a Theory of Rational Action. Public Choice, 62(3), 253–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verba, S., Burns, N., & Schlozman, K. L. (1997). Knowing and Caring About Politics: Gender and Political Engagement. The Journal of Politics, 59(4), 1051–1072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welzel, C. (2013). Freedom Rising. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Welzel, C., Inglehart, R., & Deutsch, F. (2005). Social Capital, Voluntary Associations and Collective Action: Which Aspects of Social Capital Have the Greatest ‘Civic’ Payoff? Journal of Civil Society, 1(2), 121–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Amy C. Alexander

  2. School of History, Philosophy, Political Science & International Relations, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Hilde Coffé

Authors
  1. Amy C. Alexander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hilde Coffé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Amy C. Alexander

  2. University of California, Irvine, California, USA

    Catherine Bolzendahl

  3. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA

    Farida Jalalzai

Appendix

Appendix

Table 2.2 Overview of countries according to their level of gender equality
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Alexander, A.C., Coffé, H. (2018). Women’s Political Empowerment Through Public Opinion Research: The Citizen Perspective. In: Alexander, A., Bolzendahl, C., Jalalzai, F. (eds) Measuring Women’s Political Empowerment across the Globe. Gender and Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64006-8_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation